AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Question I have 3 small clumps of kalanchoes which have grown well in a small corner of my lawn for two years. Recently I have noticed that "something" is eating away at the foliage. I've never had this happen before. There is no discoloration, and they look otherwise healthy. It just looks as if some pest is eating away at the edges of ALL of the leaves. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Answer Hi Patricia,
Thanx for your question. Kalanchoe usually doesn't have many pests other than mites or mealybugs. The pests could be grasshoppers, slugs. It's obviously something that doesn't care to consume the rest of the leaf. Keep an eye on it and eventually, you will most likely either catch the culprit or it/they will decide the kalanchoe is not worth the effort and move on to something more savory. Like I said, there are relatively few pests and none of the standard pests appears to be the ones that are causing the damage you describe. I think it's just something that has taken a temporary fancy. If you notice large scale destruction, you will eventually see the pest. I hope this helps.
Tom
