By Bob Williams – There are two ways that cucumber beetles can damage plants. First are the larvae. They have a very hearty appetite and can devour the roots in a very short time. The adult beetles feed on the leaves of plants. This is where the real damage occurs. When the beetles eat the leaves and stems, the consumption does not really damage the plants. Bacteria wilt causes the damage. …

By Bob Williams – Most succulent collectors (and many non-collectors) have at least aloe. A number of pests and diseases can attack – and damage – these common plants. Scale, aphids, mealy bugs, snout beetles and mites all affect aloes. Diseases such as basal stem rot, aloe rust and sooty mold can also take a toll on aloe plant health. …

By Mike Hellmann – This article is meant to help us address “bug” issues with a more holistic strategy to prevent, identify early and deal with what is looking to damage our plants long before the damage is done. Bugs are omnipresent and very opportunistic. They can be suppressed, but not eliminated. …

By Jolie Krupnik – This summer in my cold-hardy cactus garden, I noticed flat, white spots on some of the Opuntia humifusa pads, but ignored the signs the plants were in distress. A few months later, I lifted the pads and discovered a multitude of what I now know are Chelinidea vittiger or “cactus bugs.” I am not an expert on these destructive insects, but in my Google searching, I discovered that they only feed …

By Pat Cosgrove – HSCSS member Tracy Vymola gave up smoking several years ago. Little did she know that she would be trading one addiction for another: She is now a self-described seedaholic. Although she had been collecting cacti and succulents for years, she found that growing succulents from seed was relaxing and …

By Jolie Krupnik – Last spring and summer, I devoted my time to planting cold-hardy cacti, purchased mostly from Leo Chance during his visit to our club in May 2014. St. Louis’ latest winter brought many single-digit nights, sleet and snow, but our total amount of precipitation was less than normal. Wet and cold, …