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Disease on Angels Wings(senecio candicàris)

LINDA BARBERLINDA BARBER Posts: 10
in Plants
This is the second year my plants have been affected. Suddenly in autumn the leaves start to develop holes and discolouration and an orange patch of what look like clusters of tiny eggs appear. Last year I took cuttings from good shoots and cut the plant down to a single stem and then planted the new ones around it but it was a real pain!
It's such a lovely plant in a gravel garden. Any ideas as to what is causing this and can I cure it. There is no sign of snails but the marks look like snail trails.
HELP!
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Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited October 2022
    @LINDABARBER If you type in' Senecio Angels Wings problem' at the top you will see a post from 2019 that looks similiar. Not only are they vunerable to rust but snails love them. As we head towards autumn and the plant has to cope with more rain and cooler temperatures it becomes stressed. That is when problems are more likely to occur. I don't think it likes water on it's leaves and although it is perennial I personally don't think it should be classified as fully hardy. If it is in a pot the 'lea' of a wall in full sun might be a good place to over winter.
    The Garden Centre and Nurseries will have lots of these in the spring but they may not provide the above information!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LINDA BARBERLINDA BARBER Posts: 10
    Thanks. I have never had a problem with snails before. Would you cut it down?
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @LINDABARBER I don't know the answer to this but my thought would be to cut back in the spring. I would think that the leaves will give winter protection. This plant has only been sold recently in the UK. As I mentioned it's hardiness is questionable and there is more to learn I am sure.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • izzy8izzy8 Posts: 147
    I haven't any problems like the ones above. It has come through winter for the past few yrs. I find it roots very easily from cutting so that may be the way to go
  • LINDA BARBERLINDA BARBER Posts: 10
    Thanks
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @LINDABARBER It also depends on where you live in the country and your microclimate. I have never grown it but I can picture it in a mediterranean garden with a bright blue sky.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LINDA BARBERLINDA BARBER Posts: 10
    Thanks. It does very well, usually,  in my gravel garden
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited October 2022
    It is damage caused by a Leaf Miner, which is a type of insect which feeds between the top and bottom layers of a leaf.  Your first photo shows the eggs shortly after they were laid, and subsequent photos show the typical damage done as they grow.  Once fully grown, they burrow out and drop to the floor, burying themselves in the soil.  Because they live inside the leaves, it isn't worth trying any kind of pesticide, but you can crush them inside the leaf with your finger/thumb as soon as you see they damage start to occur.  To prevent them coming back, try cultivating the soil beneath the plants, and remove any affected leaves and throw them in the green waste bin.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I agree the 'trail'around the leaf looks like leaf minor which can occur on lots of different plants primulas often get it. l have no experience of it on Angels Wings but the photos from the previous thread look similar.  They overwinter in soil so hopefully your gravel will help. I have never seen the eggs before and I wonder if they can actually live in the base of the plant it's self. I would cut away the damaged leaves as suggested. Now you have an ID on what is wrong you will be able to look for it in the future. I would keep away from pesticide as it is a problem that should be easy to manage if you are vigilant. I also think pesticide could damage the leaves.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LINDA BARBERLINDA BARBER Posts: 10
     That is very interesting. The damage occurred at exactly the same time last year. So basically, what you suggest is, cut off any affected leaves as they appear and don't try and spray them away. The clump of plants sit in a gravel garden so I can't cultivate under them but at least I now know what it is that is happening. I will research about this pest. I hope it doesn't eat the roots like a vine weevil!
    Thank you for the information.
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