Homeowner Forum / Lawn and Garden / July 2008

Southern California Zone 10. We have a 90x40 patch of aptenia iceplant.
Until a few weeks ago, it was verdant and lush. The ground is flat..

In the last several weeks, the aptenia iceplant developed blotches of dying
stems and leaves. The stems of some plants get hard and shrivel, although
the leaves were still green.(See photos).

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn96/wer11111/100_2368.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn96/wer11111/100_2369.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn96/wer11111/100_2370.jpg

We watered the aptenia the first time this summer, when these blotches
started to appear, about one week ago. Today, the moisture meter indicates
low to medium moisture in all aptenia areas, but the blotches are still with
us.

In winter we have another problem with the aptenia: Large blotches turn into
slime and die. When it gets warmer, the dead aptenia dries and turns into a
thatch on the ground. In late spring, all aptenia grows vigorously again and
the dead areas become overgrown by new strands and leaves.

Any ideas what could cause these problems?

These problems reoccur every year. We fertilize every spring and it takes
right off, again.Then, in July, we get these blotches. In winter, we get
slimy blotches.

Thanks for any help.