Pests, Diseases & Problems
Can We Still Grow Agaves in CA?
Eek! A Win for the Weevil? When I learned that the State of CA banned sales of the most effective snout weevil preventative to all but professionals, I envisioned the end of agaves in residential gardens, including my own. I have dozens, some huge—an aesthetic essential. If you grow agaves, you’re aware the snout-nose weevil will…
Read MoreSucculent Pests and Problems Q&A Forum
Are pests or mysterious maladies causing problems with your succulents? This page is a forum for you to ask questions, leave comments and share what works for you. Others can see and benefit from the answers. Your own tried-and-true solutions are welcome, too!
Read MoreOh No! My Succulent Fell Over!
At first I thought the tree succulent fell over because its roots had rotted, but that wasn’t the case. Like most succulents, this one was
Read MoreRecognize This Polka-Dot Succulent Pest?
A succulent pest that dots leaves with raised bumps recently showed up in Oregon, on a sempervivum. “Understandable if you audibly gasp,” wrote the collector who sent photos in the hope I could identify it and suggest treatment.
Read MoreOh, No, My Succulents Froze!
Oh, no, my succulents froze! Not good: This morning the birdbath was solid ice and lemons had frozen on the tree. Even those succulents I’d covered have patchy areas indicating damaged tissue. Those not covered (above)
Read MoreSucculents Snout Weevil Attacks Besides Agaves
Check agave relatives for snout-nose weevil. Don’t wait for signs of infestation; take preventative measures now to protect your agaves, furcraeas, beaucarneas, mangaves and yuccas. See photos.
Read MoreHow to Deal with Mealy Bugs on Succulents
If you grow succulents, sooner or later you’ll deal with mealy bugs. For newbies, mealies often come as a surprise. Suddenly the plants are dotted and webbed with what looks like lint. Veterans are more vigilant. We check for
Read MoreYour Autumn Succulent Checklist
This autumn succulent checklist will help you keep your prized plants snug and healthy during the fall and winter months.
Read MorePost-Summer Succulent Concerns
After a brutal, early-September heat wave, I address ten common, post-summer succulent concerns. You’ll see them in my a new six-minute video: Post-Summer Care for Succulents (6:49). It’s a candid, warts-and-all, behind-the-scenes, damage-control tour.
Read MoreTen Autumn Succulent Must-Do’s
These seasonal succulent must-do’s are mainly for southern and coastal CA, from the Bay Area south. If you live beyond, please visit my site’s Succulents By Season and Region page.
Read MoreHow to Manage Aloe Mite
They seem everywhere in spring: mite-damaged aloes ranging from dwarf cultivars to tree ‘Hercules’. The microscopic pests (Eriophyes aloines) are not insects but spider relatives. They cause deformed flowers, a bubbly fringe on leaf edges, and orange-and-green growths where leaves meet stems. Aloe mite causes distorted, cancerous-like growth Google “aloe mite treatment,” “aloe mite prevention,” “aloe gall” or “aloe cancer,” and you’ll discover…
Read MoreCochineal Scale on Paddle Cactus, What To Do
White fuzzy lumps on paddle cactus are cochineal (coach-en-ee-al) scale, a parasite that pierces the plant’s skin and consumes its juices. It’s used to make carmine dye.
Read More