Artisan's Blog

Many plants are seasonal. For example, if you are from the East Coast of the US, you are familiar with the brilliant displays of trees having their leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. That color change is a signal that the trees are preparing to go dormant. This vibrant display of colors is a hallmark of deciduous forests in temperate regions and is an adaptive strategy for nutrient recycling and tree survival during the dormant season. Succulents also change with the seasons. Because different succulents evolved in different habitats, the exact seasonal response will...

My paper on experiments with creating wide hybrids between Haworthia and its relatives: Exploring Wide Crosses in Haworthia and Its Relatives. George Theodoris, Haworthia Journal, October 2024, Volume 38, Issue 3, pp. 58-63.

Haworthia thrive under the correct environmental conditions:  well draining pumice-rich soil, sufficient light and temperatures and correct watering.  But in the long term, some individuals may become prone to dormancy syndromes that can lead to dehydration and death. Some plants may lose their plumpness and take on a more dehydrated look. Dry older leaves are often visible.    In this blog, I will guide you through diagnosing and managing this problem to ensure the ongoing health and beauty of plants that have started down this path. Underground Stem formation From my observations these dormancy/dehydration problems are usually linked to the formation...

Powdery mildew, while generally not a major concern for most succulents, can occasionally affect certain species, such as Euphorbia francoisii, particularly during the winter months. Though it's not as formidable a pest as the mealie bug, powdery mildew can still be a nuisance for succulent enthusiasts. It looks like fluffy white mold on the leaves.  Prevention can be attempted by keeping the plants relatively dry throughout winter. However, I've noticed that powdery mildew can still occur even in plants that are kept dry. When I detect powdery mildew on leaves, I typically use one of three spray treatments: 70% alcohol,...