In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulents?

Post by **Patricia-CR** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 2:23 pm

Which are the three most annoying destructive pests you have had to fight for in your cactus/succulent collection/nursery?

Mine are (in order from worst to less worst):

1. root mealy bugs
2. red spider mite
3. fungus

Post by **IanW** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 2:46 pm

1. Mealy bugs
2. The electricity bill
3. My father looking for things to "borrow" like garden twine out of my greenhouse and knocking plants off the staging in the process

Post by **lobman** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 2:56 pm

It probably depends on the one your plants tend to suffer from most , however I have never had much trouble with fungus , and at least with a program of treatment you can have an enclosed collection free of root mealy in a season ; therefore the winner is red spider mite , as it requires constant vigilance to keep it in check . A new wave can surge in at any time , and often hits the tender new growth of plants growing out of a previous infestation .

Post by **Pete A** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:09 pm

I would say Red Spider by far. You don't know it's there until you spot a plant that is already badly damaged. Once spotted it requires vigilance to ensure there are no further breakouts.

Mealy is easier to see and damage is usually limited unless you don't spot it for months.

Fungus or viral attacks are the great unknown. I suspect this is what kills most plants in the end but the plant will normally need to be in a weakened state to start off with (perhaps after red spider attack

).

Post by **anders** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:29 pm

1. Fungi, because when you discover it it is usually too late. And they like the cool, damp climate here.
2. (False) spider mites, because they are hard to spot, spread rapidly, disfigure the plants, and are difficult to kill.
3. Root mealy bugs, because they are so good at hiding and difficult to exterminate.

Post by **Bill** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:52 pm

If someone pms or posts me a list of 10 pests I can attach a poll to this thread if you want, I can set it for 3 voting options.

Bill

Post by **lobman** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:14 pm

I might have trouble coming up with a list of ten pests , Bill , but apart from the obvious frost , I would add sun scorch , and definitely labels that fade ( usually just after you make a note to re -write when you have the time ) and snap so you spend ages looking amongst plants in the theoretical landing zone , often to no avail " I know its an MN Rebutia , but which one ? - - - -- " as sources of obvious frustration ..

Post by **Tina** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:11 pm

Hi
It would be
1.RSM
2.Western flower thrip, not had too much trouble with this but it's nasty
3.Scariad fly, I use JI2 & cat litter & still find them around especially in seed trays, even found some lurking in pure cat litter

Post by **Pete A** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:39 pm

I find that Western Flower Thrip only marks the new growth on mesembs. It used to affect my Lithops quite badly until I heard a suggestion that the thrips arrive on the legs of bees. I put plastic mesh over the windows and after treatment, my plants have been thrip free ever since. As everyone else in the area still suffer from the thrips, I think there's a good argument that keeping the bees out was the solution.

It would be good if more people can give this a try and report back in a years' time.

Post by **Patricia-CR** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:02 am

Bill, thanks for the nice poll!!

Ian,