Succulent Care and Education
Microscope: https://amzn.to/45cDJEa This is one of the worst cacti to find mealybugs on – oof! Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubrispinus ‘Rainbow cactus’ has incredibly dense spines where the mealythugs can easily hide.
Continue… “Defeating Mealybugs on my Rainbow Cactus (microscopic views!)”
WOW. I did not expect this to work so quickly! I bought a gorgeous Coleus and didn’t notice it had mealybugs until I got it home.
Continue… “Mealybug KILLER that works!”
So here’s another fun problem to look out for, but only if you have a pecan tree nearby: Aphid Rain. (I think I made that term up, but maybe there’s something more scientificky.)
I first noticed my car literally covered with small sticky droplets and thought it might have been nectar from the Crepe Myrtle flowers overhead. Then I noticed similar droplets on my plants’ leaves, table, deck…pretty much everywhere in my backyard where there is no Crepe Myrtle in sight.
I found a cocoonish type webbing on my Faucaria seedling the other day and had a closer look… it was a caterpillar! See what to look for and the method I use to salvage what this buster left behind. (Hint: Cinnamon is involved)
Continue… “Succulent Pest Spotting: A caterpillar on my Faucaria!”
Great. Another pest to worry about… Thrips. So small, they’re hard to detect without a microscope. Luckily my husband got me one as a birthday gift I highly recommend you get one too!
Continue… “Succulent Pests: Thrips and how I treated them (includes micro views)”
There are several varieties of Crassula ovata ‘Jade’ plants and most are prone to developing white spots like these. Don’t worry though because it is simply excess salt mineral deposits being exuded by the leaves through their stomata (pores).
Continue… “White spots on your Jade plants? No worries!”
It’s that time of year (summer) when mealybugs are at their worst and sure enough I found a pot with multiple succulents under attack. Here’s a natural method using just running water and diatomaceous earth – it’s tedious work but better safe than sorry!
Continue… “They’re heeere… All Natural Mealybug Treatment for Succulents”
Oh dear… spring has hardly arrived and I already found mealybugs on an Echeveria! I am using Neem oil to treat my plants this time.
Continue… “Mealybugs vs Neem Oil: Natural Pest Control for Succulents”
It’s ready! Introducing ‘The Succulent Manual: A guide to care and repair for all climates.’ Become a member of the most thorough and easy to navigate interactive website on succulent care and upkeep around!
Head over to The Succulent Manual to get started. Read on and watch this video to learn more about the manual and how to use it.
Continue… “Intro to The Succulent Manual: A guide to care and repair for all climates”
Get to know what Scale bugs look like and how to rid your cactus of these pests. Also see how to check your roots for health. The featured cactus is a Notocactus uebelmannianus, one of my favorite favorites! Lots of macro shots and close ups to get you familiar with this common succulent and cacti pest. Continue… “How to Treat a Cactus for Scale”