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).
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.