Every cone of my coneflowers is turning black and ugly, ruining each flower. When I scrape at the black stuff, I disturb some tiny (maybe 1/8 inch) worms that look like webworms. Even the brand new developing buds are getting it!! My coneflowers were the best I've ever had, til this started!!! Any clues what the culprit is, anybody else having the problem? I don't want to spray anything, I'd hurt the bees and butterflies in the surrounding flowers! HELP, please!
Thea, do you have a pic of the worm?
It's so tiny, Fly_girl, I don't think I can get a pic, only the damage they're doing. But I'll try in the sunlight tomorrow morning. I cut most of the flower heads off this morning, in desperation, I just hate to see the damaged blossoms, it breaks my heart!!!
I know, I completely understand.
Well, I went out this morning and disturbed some more of them by scraping the cones open, but they just work their way in deeper. They're tiny and ugly little things. I cut all the blooms off, and the flowers that hadn't even opened yet that had been obviously hit. This is when gardening gets me down! I don't want to use insecticides and these little guys are so wily, I can't handpick them off, so....they win. grrrrrrr..........
Try spraying with a mild soap solution. Do not use a detergent soap. It will damage the plants.
The original Ivory liquid was ideal, but is no longer available. If you have a small hand sprayer, use a solution as follows:
Get some Ivory bar soap, and place it in a jar that's almost filled with water. Shake vigorously for a few minutes. Remove the soap for the next time you may need it, and pour the solution into your sprayer. Douse the plants liberally with the solution.
This should drown the pests, and the soap residue should discourage further infestation.
Orange oil is an organic alternative, and it will be safe for bees etc. after it dries.
Good luck.
Thanks jas, I'll give that a try! I have some orange oil, I could make a solution with it.....
