Artisan's Blog

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,...

Succulents, or 'piante grasse' as they're called in Italian (literally 'fat plants'), have a unique plumpness that sets them apart in the plant kingdom. But what accounts for their 'plump' appearance? It's not fat, as one might find in animals, but rather a specialized water storage tissue known as parenchyma. In the challenging conditions of arid environments, these plants have evolved remarkable adaptations to store precious water, enabling them to thrive where other plants falter. This water-retentive superpower comes from a modification of the standard plant structure, where certain tissues become engorged with water, often altering the plant's shape to...

Slides from a presentation I gave to the British Cactus and Succulent Society (BCSS) on September 5th 2023.          

Well-bred Haworthia hybrids can have dazzling colors. One of the most captivating features of these plants is the vivid pigmentation decorating their leaves. A prime example is the standout sibling from my PP247 Haworthia hybrid series. This series is a result of a cross between one of my darkest "Scarlet Begonias" F2 hybrids and a carefully chosen PP22 hybrid. Since the turn of the century, I've been dedicated to breeding Haworthia hybrids to enhance their coloration. The intensity and variety of hues in these hybrids have been astonishing. Don’t stress out your plants! I'm sometimes asked if the vibrant colors...