Tony O’Neill , expert nurseryman and comfortably - selling writer of the celebrated “ Simplify Vegetable Gardening , ” “ compost Masterclass , ” and “ Your First Vegetable Garden , ” meld womb-to-tomb Passion of Christ and expert cognition to simplify horticulture . His mission ? Helping you cultivate a flourishing garden . More on Tony O’Neill
{ “ statusCode”:401,”message”:”No permit paint discover ” }
Identifying symptom of flora distress betimes on can aid gardener take the necessary steps to prevent the succulent ’s death . Some of the causes may be abiotic , generally due to plant management . However , several disease and pests may cause succulent ’s hurt .
Table of Contents
Is My Succulent Dying Because of What I’ve Done?
We all love our flora and want them to share our space as long as possible .
When not accompany by experience , that love can often cause our plants distress – even when our intentions are only the best .
Poorly Drained Soils
All succulent need soils that drain quickly . Several retail nurseries put up specialized “ cactus ” mixtures , which are designed for plants in pots .
Poorly draining soils will make plants more vulnerable to infections that cause root rot and even kill plants .
To successfully cultivate cactus , agave , and yucca in heavy clay soils , careful irrigation management is essential .
pumice stone can be tote up liberally ( up to 25 % ) to outdoor landscape to help drainage and soil structure .
Sandy land should be avoided because they will quickly drain and hold little piss and nutrients . sandlike soil should always be supplement with coconut meat coir and cured compost .
Fresh manure has a high salt concentration , is bad for root exploitation , and should n’t be used as a soil postscript .
Poor Watering Practices
Overwatering is one of the most grievous abiotic issues . This and soggy soils are a surefire prescription drug for plant failure .
look on the case and species of the plant , the time interval between irrigations should be restrained to thorough .
on the contrary , additional piss will decrease heat and sun damage during droughts or extended period without rainwater .
lachrymation succulent in well - drain soils every 10 to 14 day should be sufficient to ensure industrial plant health and growth during the summer .
The tearing menstruum may be shortened on denser soils , such as clay . The frequency must be increased on sandy or very quickly drain stain .
The root geographical zone should be checked two to three inches ( 5–7.5 cm ) . Wait to water the dirt until it has dry out out if the ground is damp .
You may better empathise your plants ’ water requirements by inspecting the ancestor zone before watering .
After thorough irrigation , there should be a 2–14 day dry interval to allow the soil to dry out out and forbid land - borne disease ’ emergence .
In the nightfall and wintertime , irrigation may be scale back as daytime hours get scant . Irrigation should not be continued when the evening temperature is below 60 ° F ( 16 ° C ) .
Plant Depth
For succulents to endure , planting should be done at the proper profoundness . Green stem tissue paper should not be hugger-mugger in columnar cacti like the saguaro .
This frequently occurs with Carnegiea gigantea ( saguaro ) and other columnar cacti , which result in poor organization and plant death .
Incorrect Plant Location
Serious return can be reduced or eliminate by cautiously choosing appropriate species for your part or creating an indoor surroundings to match your plant needs .
Visit specialized cactus and succulent nurseries and speak with the staff about cold hardiness , hotness and cold tolerance , mature plant life size , growth stride , and any known issues with a finical species .
Sunburn
When exposed to unmediated sunlight , parts of the plant that are not wonted to it will incinerate readily . Plants that have been sunburned turn xanthous , and as the damage worsens , the epidermis turns straw - yellow and decease .
If the damage is not serious enough , leave may recover at cooler temperatures , but in severe situation , they may die . When plant are produced in nursery , sunburn can be reduce by ab initio hardening the plant .
Many nursery mark one side of the plant to insure that a plant is transplant in the same orientation . Newly acquired plant are protected from tan by being covered with cheesecloth or 30 % shade fabric .
Common Succulent Diseases
Dry Rot
The speckle begin as flyspeck , black-market circle that develop larger over time until they have a diameter of one to two inch .
The emergence of callus tissue prevents further advancement .
septic tissue exhibit lilliputian fruit structures .
The disease is partially physiologic and isprimarily bear on by soil moisture . Destroy and transfer sick specimen .
Cotton Root Rot
The fungus that causes cotton fiber ascendant rot ( Phymatotrichum omnivorum ) can sham several cactus metal money .
Infected industrial plant pass away . dark-brown fungus togs can grow on the root open when the plant is take from the soil . There is n’t a control method accessible .
Soft Rot
The bacterium ( Erwinia carotovora ) enters the tissue paper through open wounds . high-pitched humidness promotes the bacteria ’s speedy breeding , which allows it to spread to healthy plant sections .
pathological tissue paper deteriorates quickly and is fluid , delicate , and dark .
The progress of the disease might be lay off if the environment becomes dry .
The best bar is head off wound , treating broken control surface as soon as possible with a Cu fungicide , and annul having plants in area with overweening humidity .
Nematodes
The bulk of succulent and cacti are vulnerable to infection by beginning - knot nematode . When clean , washed roots are seen , the disease can be distinguished because infected antecedent exhibit lilliputian galls typical of the illness .
Before planting , sterilize or fume the soil .
Stem Rot of Cacti
Cacti seedling with basal or top putrefaction develop into a shriveled , spore - covered mammy . scandalmongering dapple are the first symptoms . A plant can rot to the core in just four day . The fungicide Captan should give some control .
Pests that Cause Succulents Distress
Several aloes , cacti , agaves , and yuccas are susceptible to damage from various dirt ball . Most pests can be control without using chemical substance .
A levelheaded , unstressed plant is more resilient at enduring the occasional insect infestation than plants that faulty management practices have accent .
Examine plants thoroughly before buy any cacti , agaves , or yuccas to prevent bringing the pests home and infecting your other plant .
Agave Snout Weevil
The adult weevil attacks several agave species . The large Agave americana or one C flora is more vulnerable to weevil scathe than smaller mintage .
Cactus Longhorn Beetle
Prickly pear and Opuntia cholla cacti ( Cylindropuntia species ) , barrel cacti ( Echinocactus and Ferocactus species ) , unripe saguaro cacti ( Carnegiea gigantea ) , and other species are all assail by the cactus longhorn beetle .
Soft Scale
accented agaves are more vulnerable to soft weighing machine . Stress could be bring in on by insufficient weewee or unfavourable grow condition .
The most vulnerable plants have been miss ; thus , they must be chequer frequently for pest symptom . The plant might already be beyond repair by the time the scale is notice .
Mites
Although they are not insects , mites are link up to spiders .
Because they are so lilliputian , mites can only be seen under a microscope or with a magnifying glass .
Eriophyid mites , plant - feeding mites that ofttimes stimulate galling or abnormal growth of the emcee industrial plant tissue , attack aloe and other species like Haworthia and Gasteria .
In Closing
This clause summarizes some of the hazard to your succulents ’ survival . Well - cared - for indoor succulents are resilient to diseases and pests , so keeping them potent should be your first line of defense .
