Growing Desert Cactus

Pests and Diseases on Succulents :

Here we have taken the trouble to display for you many of the pests and diseases that can attack your plants from time to time, Most problems can be avoided by providing your plants with good nutrition and favorable growing conditions. Ants are one of the biggest problems, as they control many of the other pests. Once you control the ants many of the other problems just go away.

Cochineal Scale on Opuntia

problem - Cottony white masses develop on the areoles of opuntia. When squished they exude a red a red blood colored juice. This is a very common pest on opuntias and is very easy to identify from its red colored exudates . They will scar and damage plant if gone unchecked. Red exudate has been used by artists as unique pigment.

Solution - Commercial sprays work but natural controls work just as well. Here's what to do. Cut off a few of the most infected pads to open up your plant for hosing. This is usually not a problem as opuntias generally make many pads. Then use a forceful spray from a garden hose to spray off the rest. Repeat hosing every two weeks until under control. Then just spray as needed. Opuntias are predisposed to this kind of problem. Recovery is very good.

# posted by Adv. Blogger @ 12:06 PM