I have had the identical experience. The plants looked unusually healthy
but the blossoms were pathetic. They also spread everywhere and were
taking over the garden. I have pulled all the plants up. I prefer the
Indian Summer variety anyway and they seem to self seed.
On Fri, 1 Aug 2003 09:03:29 -0700 (PDT) Bob Bystrom <odoratum@yahoo.com>
writes:
> Yesterday I encountered a person who complained about
> three Rudbeckia Goldsturms she planted last summer.
> The plants, which had very large flowers when she
> purchased them, have produced tiny almost button-like
> blossoms this year. She blamed the supplier for
> selling inferior stock.
>
> I saw a sample of the plants and the flowers are
> indeed button-like. Except for their size, the flowers
> appear to be normal--no distorted growth or yellowing.
> Otherwise the sample appeared to be very
> healthy--full sized, dark green, no leaf spots or
> other signs of disease or insects.
>
> The plants which grow in full sun, have been well
> watered, but not fertilized.
>
> Might this be a result of winter damage? The lady
> noted that the plants were slow to emerge this spring.
>
>
> The lady seemed determined to cull the Goldsturms, but
> because I had no explanation for the condition I
> advised waiting to see if the plants blossom normally
> next year.
>
> I'd welcome comments about what might have dwarfed
> the blossoms.
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> >
>
Stanley Crist
12600 Marion Lane #420
Minnetonka MN 55305
Phone 952 540 6358
scrist@juno.com
