It's back, but with a twist this time. Usually when we play this diagnostic game, I disclose the answer and provide some discussion points at the bottom of the newsletter, but that's not how we're going to play the game this time.

Just the other day, a Perennial Pulse subscriber sent the images below and asked if we could put our collective minds together to help solve their dilemma with these scabiosa.

As you can see, the plants, or more specifically the flowers, are pretty messed up. These symptoms appeared on liners that were recently propagated. Interestingly, the stock plants the cuttings came from look normal and are not exhibiting these symptoms. I don't have the history of how these plants have been grown at this time, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about what you think is going on.

Do you think these symptoms are caused by aster yellows, boron deficiency, herbicide damage or by something else? Perhaps you've experienced this yourself and confidently know the answer, or maybe you have a hunch as to what might be going on. Regardless, this grower needs our help. Please send your responses to me at ppilon@ballpublishing.com. Hopefully, you'll be able to help this grower determine, "What's Happening Here?" 

It's back. The annual Floriculture Crops Summary has been on hiatus since 2015 due to budgetary issues. Now there appears to be some funds available and the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is hungry for some data from our industry (not to mention some pressure from the SAF and other industry groups to reinstate the survey). Let's not disappoint them. Please take the time to participate in the Floriculture survey when it hits your mailbox later this month.

Why should you participate? I'm glad you asked. To answer this, I pulled the following from a recent issue of Ellen Wells' Tropical Tropics e-newsletter.

Bossman Chris Beytes asked the illustrious Dr. Marvin Miller (also a salivating number cruncher) why one (that means you) should fill out the survey in the first place. Here are a few reasons Marvin came up with:

• Do your business trends match those of others in your state or across the country? Comparisons can be made for the total floriculture crops summary, for your state or region, or by crop. You can’t really know how you compare if no one (which means you) fills it out. Participation counts.
• Do you need to raise your prices? The report presents average prices, by state, for each crop surveyed. If you believe you have a particularly good crop, you should be getting at least the average price in your state, if not the average price across the country.
• Supply and demand. Economists are fond of reporting that price equilibrium is reached when supply intersects with demand. In the real world, we know this means that if there are shortages, prices will move upward to encourage growers to produce more or prices will drop to encourage growers to reduce the supply. By following the year-to-year price movements for any crop, you can gauge what is happening to this equilibrium point and forecast what growers might do in the new year.

Don't be alarmed if you don't receive one, only growers from 19 states will receive the survey. If you didn't receive one, you're off the hook this time.   I know it's the holidays, spring is just around the corner and your mind is likely on other things, but please consider filling out the survey when it arrives.

Have you seen this great coneflower? It's KISMET Raspberry from Terra Nova Nurseries. KISMET Raspberry is a very well-branched, compact echinacea with lots of flower power. It produces raspberry pink flowers and blooms from early summer until frost. Hardy to Zone 4. 

As most of you already know, the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) is a professional trade organization devoted entirely to perennials. The PPA has a long history of promoting perennial plants, connecting professionals and providing educational opportunities.

If you're not already a member, I encourage you to check out the PPA by visiting their website: www.perennialplant.org. Even better, you can check them out in person by attending one or both of the upcoming events the PPA is offering. 

2019 Central Regional Symposium 

The 2019 Central Regional Symposium is being co-hosted by and held at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, on February 2, 2019. This year's theme is "Back to Basics." Attendees of the one day educational opportunity will learn about garden design, using perennials in the landscape and perennial plant breeding from several of our industry's top experts. This year's presenters are: Jim Ault, Ph.D. of Chicago Botanical Gardens, Susan Martin of Gardener Sue's News, Todd Jacobson of The Morton Arboretum, Laura Deeter, Ph.D. of Ohio State University and Bobbi Schwartz, Bobbie's Green Thumb. Click here for complete event information. 

2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposium

The second PPA event is the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposium in Towson, Maryland, on February 16, 2019. Unfortunately, I can only tease you with the date and location since I haven't been able to get my hands on this year's program. Stay tuned, I'll pass along more information on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposium as soon as it comes in. If you don't want to wait, you can look for updates on the PPA's website: www.perennialplant.org. 

Since I won't be providing the answer to the above "What's Happening Here?" diagnostic challenge in this week's newsletter, I thought I'd share another problem you may have experienced or could possibly see in the future. Check this out:

  Plantago asiatica mosaic virus

This is Plantago asiatica mosaic virus (PIAMV) on an Oriental lily. PIAMV is a Potexvirus which expresses symptoms as rusty colored necrotic streaking on Oriental and hybrid lilies. The occurrence of this virus is rather limited, but PIAMV has been observed in several countries and states in Europe, Asia and the United States. It's vectored by contaminated soil and during the bulb washing process via contaminated water. As you likely already know, there are no cures for viruses; therefore, any plants showing these symptoms should be thrown away. 

Here's another event I thought might be of interest. It's the 22nd P.L.A.N.T. Seminar in Columbus, Ohio, on January 14, 2018. The P.L.A.N.T. Seminar is a collaborative effort between Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and the Perennial Plant Association Foundation.

This year's theme is "Perennials, Inspiration and Design" and there are six excellent speakers on the program. The top notch speakers are Stephanie Cohen, Perennial Diva; John Friel, Emerald Coast Growers; Jim Nau, Ball Horticultural Company; Dr. Steven Still, Emeritus Professor, Ohio State University; Bobbie Schwartz, Bobbie's Green Thumb and Bill Hendricks, Klyn Nurseries, Inc. Click here to learn more.