The moor lily is a tropical climber that requires a lot of care. With proper care, however, it offers very good privacy protection.
The chanterelle (Aristolochia) is considered to be robust and hardy, but pest infestation is inevitable and mistakes in care can also mean that the ghost flower does not grow luxuriantly and bloom profusely as desired. Find out now which pests of the jungle plant can be dangerous and what hobby gardeners can do to avoid diseases.
What maintenance mistakes can occur?
Hobby gardeners don't have to worry when the saffron sheds its leaves in autumn. Leaf fall at this time of year is perfectly normal. The plant will reliably sprout again next spring, albeit relatively late.
However, if the edges of the leaves turn brown and the leaves dry up and curl up or fall off during the growth phase, this is a clear indication that the humidity is too low. It is important to remember that the plants come from the rainforests of Brazil, where there is generally high humidity. Spraying the leaves regularly with water can prevent the humidity from becoming too low.
If the plant gets sick, waterlogging can be the cause. If the saffron gets wet feet, this attacks the roots. Sooner or later, nutrient uptake will suffer and plants will begin to rot.
Avoid common care mistakes
| Care mistakes | Episode | Countermeasure |
|---|---|---|
| humidity too low | • brown leaf edges • dry leaves • leaf fall | • frequent spraying with rainwater • relocation |
| Casting error | • Waterlogging • Root rot | • water less • pot out plant • exchange substrate |
| Location Error | • reduced growth • no flowering | • Relocation • Fertilization |
What pests can occur?
- Aphids
- spider mites
- Nematodes
Aphids
Aphids are comparatively harmless. If the plant is outdoors, there is no need to intervene in the event of a lighter infestation. With ladybirds or lacewings, the aphid has a whole range of natural predators, which relieve the hobby gardener of the work over the summer.
If the saffron is cultivated indoors, air that is too dry can lead to an infestation. Immediate action is required to ensure that the pests do not spread to other plants. There is also a risk for the plant that should not be underestimated. The aphid burrows into the cellular tissue of the leaves with its proboscis and this can transmit viruses, which can then seriously damage the safflower.
What to do?
Chemicals are not necessary to control the aphid. Plant tinctures can be used to strengthen and strengthen the plant, as well as for direct pest control.
If the plant is already affected by aphids, nettle manure can help, which you can easily make yourself:
- pick fresh nettles
- Mix 500 grams of flowering plant parts with five liters of water
- Leave the mixture to ferment for two weeks
- Dilute liquid manure in a ratio of 1:10 with water
- Spray the plant several times
As a preventive measure, horsetail broth is a good choice. You can also make this plant manure yourself in a few simple steps:
- Collect field horsetail
- leave one kilogram of herb in ten liters of cold water for a day
- Cook about 30 minutes
- Let cool and pour through a sieve
- Dilute two liters of manure with ten liters of water
- Use horsetail broth for watering or spray on the plant
» Tip: Spraying the plant with a light soapy solution also helps prevent aphid infestation.
spider mites
Dry air can also lead to spider mite infestations. Here, too, the plant is weakened and damaged by sucking out the leaves. If the infestation is advanced, this can be seen from the wilting and yellowing of the leaves.
If you don't want to use chemical pesticides to combat them, you can use predatory mites. Predatory mites use the larvae of the spider mite as a source of food and do not harm the saffron.
A higher level of humidity must also be ensured here. It is aboutif the plants are smaller or if the saffron has already been pruned, placing the plant in a clear plastic bag can help. The bag is closed tightly. The saffron should remain in this mini greenhouse for about three days. High humidity develops in the plastic bag, which kills the spider mites.
» Tip: Before the plant moves into the plastic bag, it must be watered sufficiently.
Because only the living mites are destroyed and not the eggs, the treatment must be repeated several times.
Nematodes
Nematodes are not actually pests, because they can also be useful. The ground nematodes support composting and are used specifically to combat vine weevils or snails. However, it also happens that the maggots, which are only about one millimeter in size, cause direct damage where it is least noticeable, on the roots.
What are the signs of nematodes?
- Growth disorders
- withered leaves
- Leaf Fall
- Root gall formation
If the infestation is noticed too late, there is often no rescue for the saffron. The infested plants should then be disposed of with the residual waste.
» Caution: Thoroughly clean the garden tools used for this purpose before using them again.
Nematode control
If the infestation is discovered on indoor plants, the plant should be repotted immediately and provided with new soil.
If nematodes are noticed on potted plants that are allowed to spend the summer outdoors, you can use a clever trick. Sow marigolds directly into the planter. The daisy family does the rest. A toxin is excreted through the roots, which reliably kills nematodes. The flowers should preferably grow in a dense lawn and cover the surface of the planter. A similar effect can also be achieved with marigolds.
1×1 for he althy pipe flowers
So that you can enjoy your pipe tree for a long time, you should take care of it properly. This keeps your plants he althy and makes them more resistant to pests.
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Location | • bright • warm • semi-sunny to shady • sheltered |
| Ground | • permeable • relaxed • humos |
| Irrigation | • keep evenly moist •avoid waterlogging • spray regularly |
| Fertilize | • during the growth phase • liquid fertilizer at 14-day intervals |
| Cut | • Regular pruning • Remove faded and wilted leaves |
| Wintering | • Overwinter at 10 to 15 degrees • Water the plant more frequently • Check the plant for pest infestation |