Actually, the sedum plant is a very robust plant that is not very susceptible to disease or pest infestation, although of course it is not completely immune to such afflictions. In particular, in the case of unsuitable locations and/or incorrect care, damage can occur or the stonecrop (as the fat hen is sometimes also called) loses significantly in resilience.
Sedum hens are very sensitive to moisture
moisture and root rot
The sedum plant is particularly sensitive to waterlogging; this leads to root rot and, over time, to the death of the entire plant. The root area is attacked by a Phytophthora fungus that causes rot. You can identify an infestation by symptoms like these:
- weak growth
- yellow or brown drooping leaves
- dry / withering leaves
- reddish discolored, mushy roots
What helps against root rot?
When it comes to root rot, prevention is the best thing to do, which means avoiding waterlogging at all costs. This is done through adequate drainage both in the garden soil and in pot cultures, for example by loosening the substrate with sand or gravel. In the case of a slight or beginning infestation, the plant can sometimes still be saved by digging it up, cutting off the affected areas and moving the sedum crop trimmed in this way to another, more suitable location (perhaps improved with sand). If the infestation is severe, the plant should be disposed of with household waste.
Danger from the vine weevil
The vine weevil, a mostly dark-colored weevil, and its larvae can also cause considerable damage to sedum hens. While the larvae feast on the roots, the adult animal prefers the fleshy leaves. There the vine weevil also leaves the typical feeding marks. In the event of an infestation, you can take the following countermeasures:
- Collecting (putting a container filled with wood shavings under the plant)
- Use of nematodes (microscopic roundworms) to control the larvae
- Transplanting the plant and replacing the soil
Above all, biological control with nematodes is very successful, although you should use the parasites between April and May and from August to September - the chances of success are highest at these times.
tips
In addition, the sedum can also be attacked by powdery mildew. The typical white fungal growth on the upper side of the leaf indicates powdery mildew, also known as "fair weather fungus", which occurs primarily in heat and drought.