What's eating my aeonium velour?

Aeonium 'Velour' (a dark-leaved arboreum cultivar) is most often plagued by mealybugs sheltering in its rosette centres. Scale insects attach to older stems. Aphids commonly target soft spring rosettes, especially when plants spend summer outdoors. Good air circulation and avoiding nitrogen-rich feeds reduce susceptibility to all three pests.

White waxy tufts in rosette centres and leaf axils; honeydew; distorted inner leaves; sooty mould follows heavy attacks. Drip 70% isopropyl alcohol into rosette centres; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil weekly for a month; isolate immediately.

Dense clusters of soft insects on new growth and flower stalks in spring; curled leaves; sticky honeydew. Blast off outdoors with water; spray with insecticidal soap every three days; introduce ladybirds if the plant is outdoors.

Flat brown shields along mature stems; yellowing foliage above heavily infested sections; sticky deposits. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; swab with alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray, repeated every two weeks for two months.