Troubleshooting
Armored Frailea problems — and how to fix them
Armored Frailea (Frailea cataphracta) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Crown rot
Excess moisture at the growing tip leads to soft, discoloured tissue. Ensure water never pools around the crown and improve air circulation.
Spider mites
Tiny webbing and speckled discolouration in dry conditions. Increase humidity slightly and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Scale insects
Flat brown or waxy bumps on the body. Remove manually and treat with systemic insecticide or horticultural oil.
Poor flowering
A cool, dry winter rest (8-12°C) is often necessary to stimulate bud formation in spring.
Prevent armored frailea problems before they start
Most armored frailea issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Armored Frailea problems — FAQ
Why is my armored frailea crown rot?
Excess moisture at the growing tip leads to soft, discoloured tissue. Ensure water never pools around the crown and improve air circulation.
Why is my armored frailea spider mites?
Tiny webbing and speckled discolouration in dry conditions. Increase humidity slightly and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Why is my armored frailea scale insects?
Flat brown or waxy bumps on the body. Remove manually and treat with systemic insecticide or horticultural oil.
Why is my armored frailea poor flowering?
A cool, dry winter rest (8-12°C) is often necessary to stimulate bud formation in spring.