I think Bridget is dead

[Ginfizz2]

I decided during lock down I needed to add some greenery to my flat and that it may have some sort of positive impact on my overall well being. Anyway trundled off to sainsburys and I bought Bridget. I bought her a beautiful pot and placed her in a corner in my bedroom which would provide her with some sunlight. I regularly watered her but despite my efforts at keeping her alive it looks like she’s dying??? What do I do?? To top it off I read an article about how great succulents are at filtering the air so I then bought a selection. Jeffery also looks like he’s had enough. Any avid green fingered experts who can help??

Congratulations on choosing great names for them both

This is my umbrella plant. I've had him about 18 years now and I honestly love him. I think some people would say he's got too tall because he's reaching for the light but I like his shape - and he's growing some new leaves at the bottom now so might thicken up. I water him every 3 weeks or so and feed him about twice a year and give him some new compost on top occasionally.

@cosmopolitanplease If that was mine I'd be pruning it to try to get a bushy shape- there's no reason they can't be cut- they are just like trees.

@FreekStar I wouldn't know how to begin! Where would you cut it? It's pretty much just one length!

My succulents survive off of my neglect, sometimes I forget for a good few weeks, they don’t mind

Ensure they are not being drowned by roots sitting in water. A good drink once a week but ensuring that any surplus water is thrown away should do it. A seaweed feed once a week is also good.

I have two Bridgets. Recently they’ve had sticky leaves with little... things on them? And they’re both dropping leaves like mad. I think they’re infected with something but I don’t know what to do. Does anyone know?

DM had a massive 'Bridget' - it was in a room with a nearly north facing French window onto one of those little bits between long terrace houses if you know what I mean, so not masses of sunlight. It was a cool room - dad's study, they had no central heating and he preferred to put on a woolly rather than the radiator.

I have one on a NE facing windowsill which is doing ok on benign neglect. In the past I had one which died during a hot summer so, apart from the overwatering I'd check the temperature.

@MacbookHo

I have two Bridgets. Recently they’ve had sticky leaves with little... things on them? And they’re both dropping leaves like mad. I think they’re infected with something but I don’t know what to do. Does anyone know?

Maybe scale insect? I get that a lot on citrus, never had it on an umbrella plant.

@MacbookHo

I have two Bridgets. Recently they’ve had sticky leaves with little... things on them? And they’re both dropping leaves like mad. I think they’re infected with something but I don’t know what to do. Does anyone know?

Aphids. Spray with insecticide.

Thank you! I’ve ordered neem oil