Senecio Angel Wings....problem

givememoney

Hi any idea what's happened to my Senecio Angel Wings. The downy stuff has disappeared on about 85% of mine to leave green patchy leaves. Looked all over the net and cannot find any solution.

Davesnave

You usually won't find a solution with relatively new plants that fail to perform as expected, because until people grow them in real world conditions, problems aren't reported. This plant is likely not to be hardy all over the UK and it will hate wet conditions, so although you have it in what looks like a sheltered spot, that beautifully mulched soil might not be what it wants.

Apart from losing its patina it looks healthy. I'd get it into a greenhouse or put a sheet of glass over it for winter. There are warnings from some more honest suppliers that its not long-lived.

givememoney

Thanks Davesnave will try that. Only bought around 6 weeks ago, looked beautiful at the time. Hubs planted it following all the instructions faithfully. I did catch somewhere on the internet that a bug strips the leaves to put in it's nest. Can't find it now.

twopenny

From the RHS site "Grow in moderately fertile, free-draining soil in a warm, sunny position. Will need frost protection in all but the mildest areas "

and Best Garden Info "

When growing in winter rainfall areas, make sure to plant it in containers and provide protection throughout the cold season. Senaw is a hardy plant but dislikes wet, cold soils. Offer it protection with mulch or cloche if the soil tends to sit wet during winters." and it really has been wet lately.

If you look at the picture on their site it shows the lower leaves similar to yours - but I did wonder about the squiggly lines as they do look like some sort of leaf miner

https://bestgardeninfo.com/2020/04/20/growing-senecio-angel-wings-plants-caring-for-senecio-candicans/

I'm surprised that it's that delicate as the Senecio generally is as tough as old boots.