Dave from Coronado writes, “Hey Chuck, what’s wrong with the leaves on my Epiphyllum? I see all these little markings. Is there something eating my plant. Is there something I should be spraying on it?”
Soraya from Del Cerro asks, “What’s wrong with the leaves on my Begonia richmondensis? Is there a bug in my garden? Should I be doing something?
Luckily, there is nothing to worry about here. Unfortunately, there also is nothing you can do about it. This is simply a result of the recent hail, sleet, and stormy weather we’ve had recently. Bouts of sleet and hail have left markings on many plants, especially those with soft and/or succulent-type leaves.
Take a look at this Kalanchoe.
You’ll see evenly distributed markings across the surface of the leaf. Looking closer, you’ll see that the markings are little divots or actual indents caused by the sleet or hail.
Here is similar hail damage on Aeonium ‘Kiwi.’
Similarly, in this photo of Crassula multicava you’ll see typical sleet/hail damage. However, you’ll also see that there is little damage on the youngest leaves, indicating that the hail damage happened probably a couple of weeks ago. The new leaves have grown after the hail damage occurred.
Take a look at this ‘Dinner Plate’ Aeonium. Here again, you will see that the youngest leaves have no damage indicating that the stormy weather that caused the damage probably happened a couple weeks ago, which it did!
You too could have hail damage on your plants. How do you know if it’s hail damage versus a bug? Hail damage causes markings or little indents evenly distributed across the leaves. There will be no damage on the lowest leaves, as well as no damage on the newest leaves that have grown after the rough weather. Remember, there is nothing you can do. New leaves will grow and eventually cover the older damaged leaves.
Happy Spring and Happy Gardening! Chuck