Garden tradescantia: characteristics of varieties, planting and care rules

Pests

Tradescantia is affected by pests such as aphids, scale insects, thrips and spider mites. They usually appear in too hot, dry or stuffy, rarely ventilated rooms on the underside of the leaves. If urgent measures are not taken, the parasites will spread throughout the bush and in a short time spoil not only its decorative appearance - the plant may die. At the first sign of pests, take Tradescantia to the bathroom and wash off the insects with warm water and a solution of laundry soap (watering can or sprayer). Then, the dried plant should be treated with a suitable insecticide. If you are in doubt about the name of your sucking parasite, take a picture of it with your phone. Contact any flower shop, where the seller, using your photo, will select the desired drug and give instructions for its use.

How Tradescantia reproduces

Naturally, the owners of such beautiful and unusual indoor plants want to replenish their home garden with young plants. In this case, both generative and vegetative reproduction is possible. We suggest that you consider a detailed description of all possible methods, after which you can choose the most suitable one for yourself.

Cuttings

Cutting tradescantia is perhaps the most popular breeding method. It can be held throughout the year. Choose some powerful shoots, separate them from the bush, and then divide them into several pieces of 10-15 centimeters. Prepare pots with a soil mixture of sand, compost and humus soil, place 5-8 cuttings in them and pour abundantly with soft water. Place flowerpots with seedlings in a well-lit place, maintain the temperature at 18-20 ° C and regularly moisten the substrate. Within a few days, the cuttings will take root. As soon as they start to grow, transplant them into individual pots and care for them as if you were an adult Tradescantia.

You can propagate tradescantia using cuttings

Leafy cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is a very simple method that even novice growers can handle. First, choose a suitable cutting. It should be firm, healthy and have 2-3 formed leaves. Both the apical and lateral parts of the stem will work well. Experts recommend placing the cut shoot in water for several days so that it takes root, and only then plant it in a previously prepared substrate. After several days, roots appear on the lower node of the seedling, and a lateral stem from the upper node begins to develop.

Seeds

This method requires more time and effort than grafting. We recommend using seeds purchased in specialized stores, since it is extremely rare to get good shoots from self-collected material. So, sowing is carried out in the spring in small containers filled with a mixture of sand and peat. The container must be kept in a bright room at a temperature of 20 ° C. Seedlings need regular watering and spraying. As soon as 2-4 true leaves appear on young tradescantia, transplant them into separate flowerpots. Note that seed-grown Tradescantia will bloom only in the third year.

Tradescantia seedlings can be obtained from seeds

Dividing the bush

It is best to carry out this procedure during the transplant. Note that this method is only suitable for mature plants that are overgrown.Loosen the soil and remove the bush from the flowerpot, shake the soil from the root system. Place the plant on a clean cloth and then carefully divide the bush into several pieces. Then you just have to plant them in individual pots and pour them with warm water with the addition of complex fertilizers.

When dividing a tradescantia bush, it is necessary to carefully divide the root system

Garden tradescantia in landscape design

The decorative long-blooming perennial has long been used by landscape designers to decorate flower beds, create flower arrangements, decorate the coastal zone of a reservoir, etc.
Garden Tradescantia looks great with other flowers, shrubs and herbaceous plants

When drawing up decorative compositions, it is important to take into account the height of the plants so that they do not cover, but complement each other. The most successful are the combinations of aesthetic Tradescantia with ferns, heucheras, daylilies, hosts and astilbes.

• Taking into account the preferences of perennial culture, it is planted in shaded mixborders, in the lowlands of alpine hills, near fences or in the shade of any buildings. A well-chosen place will provide the owners of the garden beauty with bright greenery and an abundance of delicate flowers throughout the warm season.
• When choosing a variety of tradescantia, one should remember about the possible lodging of tall tradescantia (especially in open and unprotected areas), which will significantly worsen the decorative attractiveness of the flower garden. In this case, well-chosen "neighbors - plants" can become a real natural support for the spreading bushes of Tradescantia.

Summing up, we note that the garden tradescantia is a hardy and unpretentious plant grown in the open field. Among the main requirements for the successful cultivation of a perennial and long-blooming beauty are constantly moistened soil and diffused lighting. Separation and replanting (every 5 years) of an overgrown Tradescantia shrub ensures the rejuvenation of the plant, significantly increasing the intensity of flowering. A vibrant and decorative culture is indispensable in the design of many landscape designs, in particular when drawing up a variety of flower arrangements.

Growing

Plant garden species and varieties of Tradescantia in open ground from spring to autumn in a sunny place with well-drained fertile soil of any type.

Indoor tradescantia (especially with variegated foliage) need bright sunshine.

Grow them at a temperature of at least 17 ° C, although in winter the plants will withstand low positive temperatures. Watering is plentiful in summer, scarce in winter. Transplant small plants into pots with fresh potting soil annually; large plants are instead fed weekly with liquid fertilizers. To stimulate branching, pinch the tops of the stems regularly. Indoor tradescantia should be renewed every 2-3 years.

General rules for home care

Tradescantia is not a particularly demanding plant and does not make excessive demands on the care of the house. When the necessary conditions are created, the flower will delight for a long time with its luxurious shoots and delicate inflorescences.

• The lighting needs to be bright, but without direct sunlight. Otherwise, the sheet plates will get burned. On the south side, the plant is shaded or placed in the back of the room. Variegated varieties are more capricious to lighting, because with its lack they lose their decorative multi-colored palette.
• The temperature in the spring-summer period is optimally comfortable at the level of +25 degrees. On especially hot days, it is necessary to often ventilate the room or take the plant out to fresh air. In winter, Tradescantia is suitable for lower temperatures, from +8 to +12 degrees. Under these conditions, the flower will be dormant, and the shoots will not stretch.Although it is possible to arrange wintering in a warm microclimate, then you need to use the backlight.
• Humidity is not a vital factor for Tradescantia, it adjusts well to its normal level in the room. However, it reacts positively to irrigation, periodically the plant is rinsed from dust accumulated in the leaf axils.
• Watering during the warm period is organized plentiful, only the surface of the soil should dry out. After moistening, the remaining liquid accumulated in the pan is poured out. With a cool overwintering, it is worth significantly reducing the number of waterings, in order to avoid the appearance of fungus. The plant needs a few tablespoons of water per week.
• Top dressing of Tradescantia is carried out with liquid mineral or organic fertilizers. Organics are not suitable for variegated varieties. The flower is fed 2-3 times a month from April to August, in other periods, fertilization is not necessary.
• The transplant is carried out once a year and is transferred positively. During the process, old shoots are removed and, if necessary, the bush is divided. The transplant substrate should be fairly loose. You can buy ready-made soil or prepare it yourself. To do this, you need to mix 2 parts of deciduous soil, 1 part of turf, 1 part of rotted foliage, half part of sand.

• The location of the plant in the garden can be a little shaded or well lit, but always protected from drafts. You need to plant a plant in fertile, fed soil, preferably with sand and humus.
• Watering is necessary frequent and generous, when the topsoil dries out. In winter, the plant does not need moisture.
• Fertilizers are applied in the first half of spring in the form of mineral complexes. When buds appear, the flower is fed again.
• The plant can be overwintered in open soil if there are no subzero temperatures. Before this, the ground is covered with moss and peat, and the Tradescantia itself is covered with a film or a piece of non-woven material. In cold winters, it is better to dig up the plant, transplant it into a container and leave it indoors.
• Of the pests, slugs can affect the flower. They should be removed so as not to eat up the foliage.

The plant propagates by seeds (used for garden varieties), cuttings and dividing the bush. The last two methods are used to cultivate indoor varieties. The seeds are planted in March in small containers with sandy-peat soil, moistened and covered with foil. Such greenhouses provide a temperature of + 20 degrees and diffused lighting. It is necessary to systematically moisten the substrate and remove condensation.

After 1-2 weeks, when shoots begin to appear, the film is removed. Slightly stronger sprouts are planted in well-warmed soil or in pots. When grafting, cut or broken upper parts of the shoots are used as planting material.

When transplanting, large bushes can be divided into a couple of parts. It is better to do it carefully with your hands, so you can avoid unnecessary damage. Cuts with a sharp blade are allowed, but all cuts must be sprinkled with chopped charcoal. Delenki are planted immediately so that the rhizome does not have time to dry out.

In order to avoid the loss of decorativeness due to rather rapid aging, experienced florists recommend rejuvenating Tradescantia every year. To do this, carry out a short pruning, pinching the shoots and transplanting into a new substrate. Growing such a plant at home, in addition to a spectacular and unusual flower, you can also get a healer, since Tradescantia has many healing properties.

In the next video, you will find a good way to breed Tradescantia.

Where to drop off

Anderson's Tradescantia thrives in shaded areas. It's great, because there are many flowers that love the sun, but a flower garden in the shade sometimes becomes a problem.

Take advantage of the experience of experienced florists and plant this plant so that there is a tall tree or bush next to it, on the south side.

Thus, you will protect the plant from the burning midday rays of the sun. Keep in mind that flowers will fade quickly in the sun. Blooming Tradescantia will turn the flower bed into a corner where it is pleasant to be in the summer - beautiful, cool, calm.

As for the soil, you will need fertile soil abundantly fertilized with humus. On hot days, water Andersen's Tradescantia very abundantly, especially since its homeland is the tropical forests of South America.

If there is a pond on your site, then Anderson's Tradescantia will bloom on its shore from June to September. For example, it will be the Bilberry Ice variety - lavender flowers with a white border. The landscape will be amazing.

Cut off an adult plant in the middle of summer, thanks to this, the flowering will become more abundant, and flowers will appear on young shoots in the fall. At this time of year, they will also look amazing in the flower bed.

3 Tradescantia in landscape design

From the wide variety of plants on the site, white or purple Tradescantia always stands out effectively. They have many flowers on the bushes that can form colorful clusters. They have no smell, so the plant does not attract bees, bumblebees. It is better to remove faded flowers. New buds will appear in their place. This will allow the bush to bloom for a long time.

It has long been believed that this plant protects against ill-wishers and envious people. The flower purifies the air, neutralizes electromagnetic rays. This explains the popularity of Tradescantia. You need to enjoy the beauty of the bush that is on the site for 30 minutes a day. This will help relax your eyes, calm your nerves. Due to the wide variety of Tradescantia varieties, interesting combinations can be selected. To avoid tying the bushes, the bushes should be planted tightly to each other.

There are other landing options. For example, you can plant Tradescantia as a tapeworm somewhere in partial shade. For this, tall varieties are used. Over time, the bush will acquire a beautiful hemisphere shape. He will have cascading shoots that will decorate the flowers.

Vigorous bushes are sometimes problematic. This is due to the fact that they do not hold their shape well. After abundant watering, the plant lodges. It is better to tie up such bushes. In a dark place, Tradescantia also loses its stability and begins to stretch. Bushes do not lose their compactness in a small shade or in the sun. To avoid tying tall bushes, experienced gardeners use the following "neighbors": hosts, brunners, bathing suits, astilbe, anemones. It is good to plant cuffs, lungwort, geraniums, gravilates near a low-growing Tradescantia. They not only support the bush, but also help create spectacular compositions on the site.

Perennial garden tradescantia

Garden Tradescantia flower belongs to perennial plants. This shrub can be up to 60 cm long. The garden tradescantia is characterized by narrow green leaves with a slightly silvery sheen. This plant is distinguished by its many shoots, each of which blooms beautiful flowers of various shades - from blue to red. In nature, there are many variants of garden tradescantia at the same time of two shades of flowers.

Types of garden tradescantia

There are many different varieties of garden transdescantia. Commonly found among them are:

1. Tradescantia striped... Mostly found in Central America. Differs in three-petal flowers and varying from violet to lilac color.

Covering tradescantia... This variety has wedge-shaped leaves.

Thick tradescantia... The flower grows in hot Brazil, it is distinguished by tubular leaves.

Riverside Tradescantia... This variety is characterized by purple leaves. Grows in Brazil.

Virginia Tradescantia... The name of the variety itself speaks of the place of its growth. But it is possible to find a flower not only in the state of Virginia, but also in the eastern part of America. The plant has small flowers of various colors - from white to purple.

Garden tradescantia in landscape design

Tradescantia in garden design occupies one of the places of honor, because it is often used to decorate their yards and plots. Her presence will look aesthetic, surrounded by ferns, astilbes and heuchers. The main thing here is that tall plants do not obscure the undersized ones. A flower will look beautiful in a mixborder, on an alpine slide or on the shady side of a fence. An artificial reservoir will become a real work of art if you grow a garden Tradescantia near it.

How to care for room tradescantia at home

Caring for Tradescantia at home is very simple: plants love moist, warm air and good watering, but keep in mind that the soil cannot be waterlogged. Due to the fact that the plant gives many shoots, the earth is, as it were, under a cap and retains moisture for a long time. In a warm, dry environment, daily spraying of Tradescantia is recommended.

The plant should be watered regularly, in summer - abundantly, in winter - moderately, since Tradescantia tolerates a lack of moisture much better than excess. The potting soil should be kept moist at all times. In winter, watering is reduced.

From May to September, a complex mineral fertilizer is applied twice a month.

Transplanted as needed.

It is advisable to renew the plant annually from cuttings, since the plant ages quickly and its leaves begin to dry and fall off from the base of the stem. To prolong the youth of Tradescantia, it is advisable to constantly pinch the tops of the shoots.

Tradescantia ampelous plants, they do not require a large amount of land and a large pot, but they must be grown in wall pots or any other pots, so that the branches calmly sink down.

As you can see, it is not difficult to care for Tradescantia, but if grown improperly, this plant can get sick with a black leg. Sometimes the flower is affected by aphids and whiteflies. Water stagnant at the roots can cause rotting and death of the plant.

Watch the video "Caring for Tradescantia" to get a better understanding of how to grow this plant:

How to Grow Tradescantia in a Bottle: Vegetative Propagation Using Cuttings in Water

Propagating Tradescantia by cuttings in water is one way to grow a beautiful plant.

Grow two branches of Tradescantia in water bottles until long roots form on them. Now prepare the feed water. Take one part of dried good sod humus, put in a vessel, add three parts of water and shake for five minutes. You can take about 150 grams of soil for one liter of water. Allow the resulting extract to settle, then filter and boil to kill bacteria and fungal spores. If the solution turns out to be dark, then dilute it to the color of liquid tea. (In the absence of good soil in winter, you can replace it with birch ash - 2 grams per liter of water with an addition of 1/2 gram of saltpeter. Water is infused on ash for a day). Then pour soil or ash extract into one bottle and clean water into the other.

Place the branches of Tradescantia in both bottles, reinforcing them with wax or woolen (non-wet) cotton wool or a cork drilled and cut in half. Wrap bottles with Tradescantia in thick white paper, or even better - with a black lining, so that the roots are in the dark and do not heat up, and algae do not grow in the water. White is known to reflect the rays of the sun. Put a glass tube bent at a right angle into the water through the cork, through which blow air every day using a rubber bulb. The oxygen in the air is necessary for the roots to breathe.

Botanical description

Tradescantia is a perennial with flexible, creeping or rising stems. Rather fleshy shoots are covered with successive oval, ovoid or lanceolate leaves. The foliage grows on short stalks or covers the shoots with a base. It can be monochromatic or variegated in green, purple or pinkish tones. The surface of the leaf is glabrous or densely pubescent. On contact with the soil, roots quickly appear at the nodes.

During the flowering period, and it can occur at different times of the year, small dense inflorescences bloom on the stems of the tradescantia. They consist of many buds, but at the same time only a couple of white or purple flowers are revealed. Although flowering can last up to 3-4 months, a single flower lives for only 24 hours. Three-membered corollas with soft petals protrude from a pubescent dark green calyx. The petals are free. In the center is a bunch of long stamens with large yellow anthers at the ends. The stamens are also covered with long silvery hair.

After pollination, small oblong achenes with vertical ribs are tied. The ripe box is cracked into 2 leaves.

2 Growing tips from experienced gardeners

Tradescantia can grow in one place for several years. Landing is carried out in prepared soil in a well-lit place. Preference is given to soft sandy, well-drained soils. There should be no drafts or strong winds in the selected area. It is necessary to abandon planting a plant in a place where moisture is poorly retained. In such a soil, you can add moisture-retaining material, for example, clay, compost, rotted sawdust. Slight shading by trees or buildings is allowed. If you plant Tradescantia in a completely darkened place, then flowering will not come.

The soil needs to be moistened periodically. In too dry areas, regular artificial watering is organized. When cold weather sets in, the amount of moisture is reduced. Properly performed care will allow you to get bushes with abundant flowering

It is important not only to water the soil, but also to spray the leaves periodically. This should be done in the evening. Before planting, the soil is well fertilized using organic matter

Suitable humus, compost, peat or vermicompost, which are poured directly into the planting pit. The amount of fertilizer is selected so that it is enough for the entire root system. The pit must be watered. If the tradescantia bush has developed shoots, then the root collar after planting is 2 cm lower from the ground level. In the case when the bushes are partially cut off, the growth point must be deepened already up to 5 cm. After planting, it is necessary to water the plant again. It is recommended to mulch with peat or humus.

Before planting, the soil is well fertilized using organic matter. Suitable humus, compost, peat or vermicompost, which are poured directly into the planting pit. The amount of fertilizer is selected so that it is enough for the entire root system. The pit must be watered. If the tradescantia bush has developed shoots, then the root collar after planting is 2 cm lower from the ground level. In the case when the bushes are partially cut off, the growth point must be deepened already up to 5 cm. After planting, it is necessary to water the plant again. Mulching with peat or humus is recommended.

Caring for Tradescantia includes fertilization. The first top dressing will be applied in the spring when all weeds have been removed. For this, mineral fertilizer is used. It is applied to a depth of 8 cm. The second top dressing is performed in May using liquid nitrogen fertilizer. Once every 20 days, you need to loosen the soil around the plant and apply complex fertilizers. When buds appear, potash and phosphate fertilizers will need to be applied.

At the beginning of October, the plant is being prepared for wintering. Cropping of the ground part of flowers is necessary. The plot is mulched with humus or peat.Such activities will help protect the plant from freezing in cold weather.

It is important to cover newly planted plants for the winter. They can be covered with leaves or peat. After winter, Tradescantia "wakes up" at different times

It all depends on the age of the bush

After winter, Tradescantia "wakes up" at different times. It all depends on the age of the bush.

Perennial Tradescantia, planted in open ground, is resistant to pests and various diseases. Slugs, nematodes most of all harm the plant. In too dry weather, bronze beetles eat stamens. If the site is infested with nematodes, the above-ground part of the plant will have to be removed. These residues are burned to prevent the spread of pests.

Types and varieties of tricirtis with photos and names

Gardeners cultivate both species and varietal tricyrtis.

Taiwanese tricyrtis (Tricyrtis formosana), or Formosan tricyrtis

The height of the bush is about 0.8 meters. The surface of the shoots is fleecy. On the surface of the green glossy oval-shaped leaf plates, there are specks of dark red color. The surface of the flowers is lilac-pink or pink-white streaked with brownish-red specks.

Tricyrtis yellow (Tricyrtis flava = Tricyrtis yatabeana)

This species is native to the mountain forests of Japan. The surface of the stem is hairy, and its height can vary from 0.25 to 0.5 meters. The apical inflorescences consist of yellow flowers, as a rule, they are monochromatic, but sometimes they are spotty. This species is currently not yet very popular among gardeners.

Hairy tricyrtis (Tricyrtis pilosa = Tricyrtis maculata = Tricyrtis elegance)

The homeland of this species is the Himalayas, while these plants can be found at an altitude of up to 2 thousand meters above sea level. The height of the bush is about 0.6-0.7 meters. There is pubescence on the lower surface of broadly lanceolate leaf plates. Apical inflorescences of whitish flowers, on the surface of which there are large specks of purple color. This type is not yet very popular with flower growers.

Long-legged tricyrtis (Tricyrtis macropoda)

In nature, this species is found in the subtropical regions of Japan and China. The height of the bush varies from 0.4 to 0.7 m. The stem of the cylindrical shape is short pubescent in the upper part. The length of the stalk-embracing leaf plates is 8–13 centimeters, and their width is 3–6 centimeters, they have an ovoid or oblong shape. The terminal and axillary inflorescences consist of white fragrant flowers, on the surface of which there are many purple spots. Flowers are shorter than pedicels.

Tricyrtis broadleaf (Tricyrtis latifolia = Tricyrtis bakeri)

The homeland of this species is the shady forests of Japan and China. The height of the bush is about 0.6 m. On the surface of the green ovoid leaf plates, there are specks of dark color, which are especially clearly visible at the very beginning of growth. This species begins to bloom earlier than other tricyrtis species. The flowers are collected in apical bundles, they are painted in green-white color, and on their surface there are specks of a darker shade.

Tricyrtis hirta, or Uvularia hirta

This species is native to the subtropics of Japan. He is the most popular of all. The height of the bush can vary from 0.4 to 0.8 m. On the surface of the cylindrical stem, there is dense pubescence, consisting of a short pile. The length of the leaf plates is about 15 centimeters, and the width is about 5 centimeters, they have an elliptical or broad-lanceolate shape, and on their surface there is also pubescence, consisting of short hairs. The foliage at the top of the shoot is stalk-enveloping. Flowers can be single or collected in several pieces, they grow on the tops of the shoots or in the axils. There are many purple spots on the surface of the white flowers. Garden forms:

• short-haired Masamuna - the bush has no pubescence;
• short-haired black - speckles on the surface of the flowers have a darker color compared to the main species, and this variety blooms earlier.

But the most popular among gardeners are hybrids of this type of tricyrtis:

1. Dark Beauty. This variety is distinguished by its resistance. The flowers are pale pink, and on their surface there are many specks of dark purple color.
2. Raspberry Mousse. The flowers are brownish-purple, without specks.
3. Blue Haven. The leaf plates are leathery. Large bell-shaped flowers have light orange stamens and red pistils. The petals are blue at the base, and yellow at the tops, gradually turning purple with blue tips.
4. Pearl Beauty. There are many purple spots on the surface of the white flowers.

Also quite popular are such varieties as: Mayazaki, White Towers, Lilac Towers, Kohaku, Milky Way Galaxy, etc.

Tricirtis

Description of the variety

Tradescantia is a perennial evergreen plant belonging to the Commelin family. The natural place of growth is America, namely the tropical and temperate zones (in South America - the north of Argentina, and in North America - to the border with Canada). In North America, due to its creeping root system and rapid growth, this plant is considered a weed. The name originated in 18th century England.

There are 30 types of tradescantia, all of them are perennial low-growing plants, they have thin and easily rooted creeping stems at the nodes. The leaves are small, pointed, elliptical or ovoid. Their color can be either regular green or green with white or yellow stripes. The surface is smooth or pubescent. If you use the pinching method, then you can easily get dense green shoots.

Tradescantia blooms profusely with axillary inflorescences, which are located in the upper and apical leaves. It is rare to find a single flower. Flowers of white, blue, blue or purple color are collected in umbrellas or panicles. The flowers themselves have three petals and six stamens, which makes them lush and extraordinary. They open early in the morning, so you can admire their beauty until late at night. The plant blooms for a long time, from June to September. Interestingly, wilted flowers do not dry out, but resemble large green buds, next to which new inflorescences bloom.

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Home care

Home decoration with room tradescantia will turn out to be excellent. It is enough to provide her with comfortable conditions.

Lighting. Requires bright light and shade from the midday sun. Direct rays are possible in the early morning or evening, otherwise the leaves are quickly covered with burns. You can place the pots in the back of the south room or on the east (west) window sills. Varieties with variegated leaves are more demanding in terms of lighting.

Temperature. In April-September, Tradescantia will be comfortable at + 25 ° C. On hot days, you need to ventilate the room more often or take the flowers out into the fresh air. Wintering should be cooler (+ 8… + 12 ° C). This will compensate for the short daylight hours and prevent the stems from stretching out. You can leave the Tradescantia warm over the winter and use the backlight.

Humidity. Tradescantia adapts well to the usual humidity in the house, but responds gratefully to spraying. She is also periodically bathed from dust.

Watering. In spring and summer, watering should be abundant so that the soil dries out only on the surface. All excess liquid is removed immediately after watering. With a cool winter, watering is significantly reduced so that the fungus does not develop. A few tablespoons a week is enough.

Fertilizer. In April-August 2-3 times a month, Tradescantia is fed with a solution of mineral or organic fertilizing.For variegated varieties, organics are not used. No fertilization is needed the rest of the year.

Transfer. Tradescantia tolerates a transplant well. Depending on the age, it is carried out every 1-3 years. If necessary, the bushes are divided, and also cut off the old, bare branches. The soil mixture should be loose and fertile. You can buy ready-made soil or compose it yourself from:

• deciduous soil (2 hours);
• sod soil (1 hour);
• leaf humus (1 hour);
• sand (0.5 hours).

Diseases and pests. Tradescantia usually does not suffer from plant diseases. Only in rare cases, a weakened plant can infect a fungus (root rot, powdery mildew). Of parasites, aphids and slugs can bother her.