Here in Elk Grove, our hot summers and love for drought-tolerant plants make succulents and cacti the perfect addition to our gardens. However, even these resilient beauties can fall prey to pest problems. Today, we’ll address common pests that afflict succulents, their causes, and how you can treat them using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques without relying on synthetic pesticides.
Common Pests and Their Causes
- Mealybugs
- Causes: Mealybugs are attracted to the soft, juicy parts of succulents. Overwatering and poor air circulation can exacerbate infestations.
- Identification: Look for white, cotton-like clusters on leaves and stems.
- Aphids
- Causes: Aphids are drawn to new growth. They thrive in warm weather and can spread rapidly.
- Identification: These tiny green, black, or brown insects can be found on the undersides of leaves and around new growth.
- Spider Mites
- Causes: Hot, dry conditions favor spider mites, especially when plants are stressed by insufficient watering.
- Identification: Look for fine webbing between leaves and tiny red or brown specks.
- Scale Insects
- Causes: Scale insects often appear on plants that are weak or stressed. Over-fertilizing can also encourage their growth.
- Identification: Hard or soft bumps on stems and leaves that are often mistaken for plant tissue.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approaches
- Prevention
- Healthy Plants: Keep your succulents healthy by planting them in our well-draining, cactus and succulent soil Be sure to provide adequate sunlight, and avoid overwatering.
- Quarantine New Plants: Isolate new plants for a few weeks to ensure they are pest-free before introducing them to your garden.
- Cultural Controls
- Proper Watering: Water your succulents deeply but infrequently. Ensure the soil dries out completely between waterings to avoid creating a hospitable environment for pests.
- Air Circulation: Space plants adequately to ensure good air circulation, which can help prevent infestations.
- Mechanical Controls
- Washing and Handpicking: Use a strong jet of water from the hose to blast off the majority of pests. (This method works well for aphids, mealies and spider mites.) Then remove remaining pests by hand. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove mealybugs and scale insects.
- Pruning: Trim and dispose of heavily infested areas to prevent the spread of pests. Do not compost this waste.
- Biological Controls
- Beneficial Insects: Introduce natural predators like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites into your garden. These beneficial insects can help keep pest populations in check.
- Insecticidal Soap: Use insecticidal soap made from natural ingredients to treat infestations. It is effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids and mealybugs.
- Neem Oil: Use neem oil, a natural insecticide, to treat infestations. It disrupts the life cycle of pests without harming beneficial insects.
By following these integrated pest management practices, you can keep your succulents healthy and thriving without the use of synthetic pesticides. Remember, a healthy plant is your first line of defense against pests. Happy gardening!
Stay cool and keep those succulents shining, The Secret Garden Team
