Troubleshoot Your Succulents

Just when you think you've seen it all, I show you pests and problems you may be unaware of. No worries, I explain what to do, but it IS important to catch them early. My new video also covers routine must-do's, with the goal of keeping your succulents healthy and trouble-free.

What's new in my personal Pandora's box?

Mice. The nocturnal buggers snuck up on the prized Haworthia truncata shown above and ruined a decade of plump, verdant growth. They bit a gasteria too, so I've installed an ultrasonic rodent repeller. No more snacking...so far.

What about mouse traps?

I stopped using them after one caught a Bewick's wren that had been foraging on the ground. Tragically, there were babies in its nesting box. Of course, birds are diurnal, so if I have to, I could set traps after dark and get up before dawn to check them.

What else is in the video?

Ants -- you'll see a new way to get rid of them -- as well as scale, mealy bugs, sunburn, fungus, snout weevil, suspiciously dry leaves, and columnar succulents that flop over. Plus a couple of mysteries you may be able to advise me about.

Don't see what you're dealing with?

Find 40 succulent pests, diseases and problems on this popular page of my site. I include photos and treatments, describe the issue, and rate how serious it is from "not at all" to "usually fatal."