On succulents, isopropyl alcohol kills mealybugs and dissipates quickly.
Epicuticular Wax
A whitish film called epicuticular wax is found on the leaves, stems, and fruits of many different types of plants. You can find it on a variety of foods, including blueberries, plums, red grapes, apples, kale, and several succulents. It develops on the plant’s outer cuticle. Instead of actually wetting the plant, this wax causes water to bead up. Additionally, it tends to make dirt adhere to leaves only weakly so that it can be readily washed away when a water droplet passes over it. The wax helps prevent moisture loss to the air in the area of the plant that it covers. Additionally, it deflects UV rays, effectively serving as a sunscreen and protecting the plant from sunburn. Finally, it tends to make it more challenging for insects to walk on or lay their eggs on the surface.
Epicuticular Wax on Succulent Leaves
Plants produce epicuticular wax to help them survive in harsh environments. This wax aids succulents in preserving their reserves of moisture during dry spells. It aids with the plant’s ability to thrive in direct sunlight and shields it from insect predators. The epicuticular wax on the leaves of some plants, notably camellias, gives the leaves a glossy, highly reflective appearance. Most frequently, it takes the form of glaucous, a soft, powdery appearance in succulents. Numerous succulents are said to have “glaucous foliage Glaucous leaves in botany are ones that are “coated with an easily removed waxy bloom or coating that is greyish, bluish, or white in color. The succulents that are most frequently referred to as glaucous have leaves that are either bluish-grey or green and contain noticeable epicuticular wax.
Succulents with Glaucous Leaves
The leaves of many types of succulents feature a noticeable epicuticular wax. Possibly the most well-known is Ecechervia imbricata, the gorgeous blue rosette succulent shown above. Many, many more will also have this yellowish wax. People frequently seek treatment for the ailment because it is so noticeable on kalanchoe thyrsiflora, also known as the flapjacks or paddle plant, despite the fact that it should not be there. The stems and the underside of the leaves can accumulate a significant amount of the white, chalky dust. It shouldn’t be changed because this is not a problem and will continue to function as intended.
Don’t Wipe Away the Wax
Epicuticular wax should not be removed because it offers the plant so many advantages. Additionally, with succulents, it takes a very long time to recover. Where the wax has been removed, the plant usually has a patchy appearance that lasts for months. Instead, decide to appreciate the beauty that your plants’ natural protective coating brings. Doesn’t it give the color an almost ethereal quality? To clean off dust or to remove soil from your succulents, use a cheap paintbrush with soft bristles.
Recognizing Epicuticular WaxFarina
The key to identifying epicuticular wax is understanding how to distinguish it from a pathogen or infestation. This wax acts as a sunscreen, an insect repellent, and a barrier against water loss. It will obviously require an even “application, I assume? Actually, the phrase “Farina is an even dusting of an extremely fine powder, and is frequently and somewhat incorrectly used as a synonym for this kind of wax. You’ll notice how uniformly it covers the plant once you realize this sticky powder is intended to be there. It grows equally on every leaf of the plant, both on the top and bottom of the leaf. And if there are any areas where there is a heavier accumulation, it happens very gradually and deliberately looking. It’s crucial to detect this appearance because whiteflies and powdery mildew both lack it. Additionally, take attention of the state of the leaves because this wax safeguards the health of the plant. Epicuticular wax has the appearance of healthy, happy leaves with a very fine, very even dusting of powder covering the entire plant.
MaryCarol Chapman, a beautiful participant in my Facebook groups for succulent enthusiasts (you should join us! ), has a great tip for caring for succulents that I have adopted and is ideal for spotting problems with white gunk on your succulents. She advised me to add a jeweler’s loupe to my arsenal of succulent tools, so I did. I can get a pretty close look at anything white with the loupe, which helps me determine what materials are used to make it. If I notice tiny legs, I know it’s an insect and needs to be dealt with (see below). I get a chance to assess the fine texture and even application more thoroughly, which helps me differentiate between epicuticular wax and powdery mildew.
Recognizing Powdery Mildew on Succulents
Your plants could suffer from the fungal illness known as powdery mildew. It gradually drains the nutrients from the leaves, causing them to become yellow, wither, and fall off. Any kind of plant can be impacted by it, and it is very contagious. It seems to be white and rather fluffy or furry. It can resemble the useful epicuticular wax, as you can see in this image. But there are observable variations. Powdery mildew develops gradually and typically begins on one or two leaves, extensively covering those leaves while having little to no effect on nearby leaves. As a result, it is not at all disseminated throughout the plant. Close examination reveals that it is somewhat uneven rather than being as even and delicate as the wax.
It is crucial to take action if you suspect your plant may have powdery mildew. If you are unsure, take a leaf to a nearby nursery and have someone examine it for you to be sure that this is the issue. Or, seek confirmation from a seasoned gardener, or take a picture and post it to Facebook gardening sites. There are several safe and efficient natural treatments for powdery mildew. I heartily endorse this post as a fantastic place to start when looking for powdery mildew cures.
Recognizing Whiteflies on Your Succulents
Whiteflies are small insects that rob plants of moisture and nutrients while also leaving behind a sticky substance known as honeydew. An infestation of whiteflies causes leaves to quickly wither and distort. All of the insects and larva are white, and when they assemble, they can take on a fluffy or hairy appearance. When first laid, the eggs have a pale golden color; after they are ready to hatch, they turn brown. On the underside of the leaf as opposed to the top, whiteflies are typically more active. Additionally, they do not coat the leaf or plant with a homogeneous, even, superfine layer like epicuticular wax does. They produce sticky honeydew that attracts ants and can be used to identify whiteflies as the source of a problem.
The neighborhood nursery, gardening friend, and Facebook groups will be quite helpful if you are worried that you have whiteflies but want a second opinion. Click here to learn more about whiteflies and how to get rid of them.
Worm castings are my go-to solution for both resolving whitefly issues and avoiding them altogether. Worm castings, which are essentially worm manure, are a fantastic organic fertilizer for succulents because of their mineral-rich composition. Worm castings have a number of excellent properties, one of which is that they are a natural supply of the enzyme chitinase, which dissolves the exoskeleton of insects. When I plant a succulent, either in a pot or the ground, I mix dry worm castings into the soil. Because of this, the plant is able to absorb and distribute chitinase throughout its entire body. Whiteflies and other pests stay away from those plants because they can detect the chitinase there. When treating an insect infestation and fertilizing the plant at the same time, a worm casting tea can be administered topically as a foliar spray.
Recognizing Mealybugs on Succulents
The terrible mealybugs are another example of white crap on your succulents. A fluffy, white mass that resembles cotton that covers the stems, petioles (the short stem-like structures that attach the leaves to the stem), and leaves is typically the first indication of mealybugs. The fluff typically has a ragged or chaotic appearance and frequently has black specks—insect poop.
Slow-moving, soft-bodied insects linked to scales are known as mealybugs. They adore succulent plants and survive by eating the moisture that plants’ leaves hold. Although they are sluggish moving, they reproduce quickly, thus an infection can easily turn into an infestation. Mealybugs produce honeydew, a delicious, gooey liquid that nourishes and maintains sooty mold on your plants as well as attracting ants.
Mealybugs can best be avoided with worm castings, just as whiteflies. You can also use a direct spray of isopropyl alcohol to eradicate any existing mealybugs (rubbing alcohol). If you spray your succulents out of the sun and leave them in the shade for 24 hours, it won’t harm them. Spray the plant liberally and keep it out of the sun until it is completely dry.
Now that you understand what that white layer on so many of your succulents is for, Farina, sometimes known as epicuticular wax, is what it is. Even better, you will be able to identify if the white powder you are observing is benign wax, a pathogen, or an infestation. On your plant, the wax will typically be very fine and very evenly spread, in contrast to the powdery mildew and whiteflies, which will look more patchily. The best defense against mildew and insects is good plant hygiene. And enjoying your healthy succulents will be made easier by appreciating the beauty of glaucous leaves and their waxy coating!
I hope this essay was useful to you. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me an email or take a moment to leave a comment.
What is the white substance that my succulents are growing?
Powdery mildew is rare in succulents, but it can occur in some species.
The symptoms of powdery mildew include a white coating that develops into splotchy areas on the leaves.
Usually, powdery mildew develops on succulent leaves after prolonged contact with water or when the soil is very damp.
It is best to isolate your succulent as soon as you discover any powdery mildew symptoms to stop it from spreading. Use safer soap or isopropyl alcohol to remove the mildew.
Why are mealybugs attracted to succulents?
Mealybugs are disgusting little insects that like munching on succulent plants’ fresh growth. It’s difficult to pinpoint the specific reason why they appear, however overwatering and overfertilizing are frequently to blame. Due to the more mild temperatures, they frequently appear on indoor plants, although they can also be seen on outdoor succulents.
In the crevices of your succulent, these tiny creatures normally hang out in a white substance that resembles a web. Right where the leaves meet the stem is where they like to hide. They are consequently difficult to see and to kill.
Mealybugs can swiftly spread throughout a succulent and to other succulents nearby if they aren’t treated very once. They move so swiftly, which is both impressive and annoying. They consume the succulent as they move. This frequently stunts the plant’s growth, making the new growth oddly shaped or smaller than typical. If they remain too long, they could also leave some dents in the leaves.
How did mealybugs arrive on my plant?
My husband and I sometimes make the joke that after appreciating someone’s succulents in their home, the first thing I say is, “Oh, sure, you have mealybugs. How humiliating! However, it really comes from a good place. I wish to assist those who, like me, are unaware of their problems. Immediately after this, a helpful “…and here’s what you can do about it” is always added.
I initially believed that having a mealybug infestation was a wonderful thing. It started to appear in areas with recent growth, and I thought, “Oh cool, it’s expanding! I wasn’t worried until my jade plant began to lose leaves rapidly. After I treated it, that same Jade briefly came back to life, but in the end it went to Flora Heaven.
What exactly are mealybugs, then? They are a very prevalent indoor plant pest. By bringing home infected plants from a nursery, they can enter your home (or outside plants) from warmer climes. They disperse among plants and eat the growth tips. They are small white creatures that build cottony nests where they feed. Even in the roots, they may survive.
How do you recognize them? You should periodically check your plants for bugs and any other problems. These small creatures are masters at camouflage. Although they can be seen with the naked eye, they frequently tuck themselves into areas that are difficult to view, such as leaf joints and plant undersides.
What can you do about it then? Move the sick plant far from your healthy plants first. Move it into a different room, not simply a foot or two over. Simply wipe them off with cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill them. Remember that a mealybug has a 30-day life cycle. Therefore, even if you successfully set up the nests the first time, you will need to maintain this routine once a week for at least a month to make sure you got them all. Other possibilities include spraying insecticidal soap on the plant, making your own dishwashing liquid and water, applying neem oil, and I’ve even heard of using Windex. Always read the label because some of these treatments can make you more sensitive to light and risk a sunburn if you expose your succubabies to the sun right away.
How can you avoid acquiring them? The greatest thing to do after purchasing your new plant baby is quarantine it so you have time to see if any problems arise. But who wants to do that? Not me! But hey, at least I made it clear what you needed to accomplish.
Being selective in the nursery is occasionally the simplest solution. Before making the purchase, carefully inspect your prospective plant child, and once you get home, develop the habit of looking for them on all of your succulents.
Get into the habit of spraying all of your succulents with an insecticidal detergent before you bring them inside and again when you first set them outside in the spring if your climate requires you to move them indoors during the winter.