We master gardeners are in essence plant detectives. We try and suss out what the plant is, what damage is happening, who or what is causing the damage to the plant. Sometimes the damage was done and the culprit isn't there anymore. We can't always be there to witness the destruction of a plant. What we can do is ask loads of questions to narrow down a diagnosis. Have a look at my aeoniums and see what questions you might have.
However, sometimes, the answer falls right into your lap. I found this to be true the other morning. I was looking out the kitchen window and noticed the little, white-crowned sparrows on my aeoniums. What in the heck were they doing? It looked like they were eating these succulents, but were they? Are they after the insects that might be there? What are they doing?! I put the question to a few master gardener friends. One mused, maybe their approach to getting an insect wasn't that exact and they ended up nipping at the plant. What do you think reader?
