Do you mean Aeonium? And precisely when did you move it to the Conservatory, and how cool is it in there?

Sorry yes I do mean that Aeonium and I have moved it about a week ago. The conservatory is about 16-22c
It was in the garden, we have a walled garden and live on the coast in North Norfolk and never get much frost. It was losing its leaves before I brought it in.

These are very tender hothouse plants - they should only be left outside during the best of the summer months (not before June, and not past mid August at most). The condition its in is probably due to being outside in such inhospitable temperatures, despite the fact it's not been that cold as far as we're concerned.
Regarding 'sooty aphid', there is no such thing - its possible it's developed Leaf Spot, either bacterial or fungal, from being left in uncomfortable conditions, but without a photo or a clearer description of what the problem is, it's hard to say.

I will try to send a photo to you, but thanks for your replies. My daughter has these plants and I was following what she does, but hers are fine. Mine is just very unhappy :(

If you can do a photo, I think you can edit this question and add it above - if you do, I'll get a notification about it, so I'll know.

I will do it in the light tomorrow. tyvm :)

Have sent two photos.

Interesting- those black specks do look like they're sitting on the leaves rather than being inside the leaf, but its hard to tell what they are from the photographs. They look like possible bits of compost, though I'm sure they're not from what you've said, and also it seems they're not actually insects, but deposit from some insect. The plant doesn't look terribly unhealthy otherwise though, the leaves seem healthy enough, although they've gone green from not enough sunlight. Is it possible to brush the deposits off, or are they attached in some way? Any stickiness on the leaves? Anything on the underside of the leaves or stems?

The black specs are sitting on the leaf and I have sprayed them with a weak solution of soapy liquid and that didn't work so I have spayed it with an insecticide which I have used for other indoor plants with aphids but its still loding leaves. My daughters plants go greener in the winter months and she says she regain their purple colour again in the sun. There is no stickiness on the leaves. The sooty specs cover both sides of the leaves. They are def. not compost. The sooty specs can be wiped off but the leaves are very delicate and spraying seemed the best way, ie to wash them off. I am mystified completely. I have a good reputation for plants but this problem has really got me foxed!

I think I'd be inclined to gently wipe them off, even if it means lifting each one with a clean cotton bud dipped in soap and water to protect the leaves. It's not anything I've seen before either - but I wouldn't want whatever they are to be in my conservatory either. They remind me of insect droppings, or larval deposits.

I agree, thanks for the advice, I just hope it doesn't die on me. It was an expensive investment!
Best wishes.
:)

Keep an eye on it in spring and once you put it back outside - maybe you'll get to see some insect or pest on it which leaves these behind.

Thought you would like to know that we put a leaf under a microscope and the black spots are black aphids with legs and there also were tiny white spiders who were attacking them!!! I wish I could photograph them but thats not possible. But I am pleased we found out. I will spray the plant again although I am not sure whether those aphids are causing the problems with the plant, prob change of temps. Thanks :)

Amazing what goes on that we just can't see without a microscope - though these days, frankly, I practically need a microscope for reading, lol!

I have to say it was quite horrible and reminded me too much of all that we CAN"T see (bed bugs etc) and I have to say its a jolly good job that they mostly remain unseen!
My husband is going to buy a microscope with a usb attachment so we can actually hook it up to the computer and photograph these seemingly unseen little blighters. He needs it for his butterflies anyway. Thanks for the chat :)

I didn't know you could get such a thing - sounds like something I'd be interested in too...

When he sorts it out I will let you know, he is researching it at the moment :)