Oh do join the thread Tee, by all means, more heads better than one..share our individual experiences and tactics
Jelinda, I always end up knocking down some of my succulents
,so baby gollum should be fine if you have repotted the knocked down portion. Either have it callus first or stick it straight to soil. Sometimes growth is not hampered. I think this works well during dry summer months but otherwise have it callus first. You can also apply some cinnamon on the open bruise of your mother plant, to help seal it.
with Tee's suggestion on the pencil cacti. Not too big a pot, not too deep..they do branch out very wide.
My plants have not been attacked by mealies so much...and when I do see crawlies, whether aphids or what not I first use a diluted solution of water, dishwashing liquid, tabasco sauce, alcohol...it seems to work for me. And I do it before the sun hits the plants, allowing it to dry off. Plus I have my dependable insect friends here, mantids, spiders feasting on them too
Yellowing leaves of succulents may be due to sun, or water issues..or natural senescense. I know they get dried up when it is having problems with absorbing water through the roots, maybe got too compacted.. So they turn gradually yellow then drying up. Over watering makes the leaves look soggy and limp. Water the soil not the leaves. Keeping the soil draining well and open to allow roots breathe as well, so they do not get too compacted..their root systems are shallow, that is why deeper pots are not advisable. Happy roots, happy leaves. I water the soil/root zone heavily once a week or sometimes even once a month when it is cold, and just let it dry. These plants are quite good in stocking and conserving their water needs in their stems and leaves.
