Reproduction of saxifrage
1. Propagation by seeds
Each plant has its own secret, and saxifrage is no exception. Its main secret is cold treatment of seeds, which guarantees good germination.
Starting in April, gardeners begin the seed treatment procedure for planting:
- Wet soil is placed in a flat container, and seeds are spread on top and left in the refrigerator for 14-20 days.
- The seedlings are moved from the refrigerator to the windowsill of a well-lit window and covered with a film (inside the greenhouse the temperature should be +18 - +20 degrees), small black seeds germinate in 7-8 days.
- After the first shoots, the film is lifted for air circulation.
- It is necessary to wait for strong leaves and move the seedlings into large boxes.
When propagated by seeds, saxifrage blooms for the first time in the second year.
2. Propagation by cuttings
The procedure is done in any season, except for winter:
- A single rosette of leaves is cut off at the base of the stem, the lower leaves are removed and placed in a container with sand.
- Leave for rooting in a cool, draft-free place;
- Rooted cuttings are transplanted into a pot, and after a few weeks - outside.
Cuttings are planted in non-acidic drainage soil, you can use sterilized garden soil.
3. Reproduction by dividing the bush
It is necessary to wait until the plant has completely bloomed:
- Prepare holes (size and depth depends on the size of the saxifrage for dividing). Remove all the soil from the hole, mix with sand, compost, fine limestone, lay drainage on the bottom.
- So that the bush can be easily dug out, divided into parts without damaging the roots, it is pre-watered. Divide so that each part has mature roots and green mass.
- Plant directly into the finished wells, lightly tamp the earth, and water.
Gardeners choose this type of reproduction most often, but only those who already have a saxifrage that have taken root on the site.
Types and varieties of saxifrage
There are many types and varieties of this ornamental plant. Among them, the most popular are the following types:
- Arends' saxifrage;
- Wicker saxifrage;
- Saxifrage paniculata.
Shadow stone grinder
Arends' saxifrage
- This is a type of saxifrage, which is distinguished by its short stature. It grows up to 20 cm in height. During the growth of this species, a thick green coating is formed. The leaves are bright, green, separate from each other. This species begins to bloom in May. The flowers of this species are bright pink, bright red and white. Since this type of saxifrage is very frost-resistant, Arends's saxifrage is popular in northern latitudes as well. Among the varieties of this type, the following most popular varieties can be distinguished:
- Flamingo,
- Peter Pan,
- Snow carpet,
- Sleeping Beauty.
Saxifrage purple mantle
Wicker saxifrage
- also a stunted type of plant. Its height ranges from 20 to 50 cm. This species grows on mountain slopes in Asian countries. It differs from others in the presence of long filamentous lashes. The leaves are almost round. The flowers form complex brushes. Mostly white or slightly red. Usually this type of saxifrage is planted at home. Blooms from May to August. Of the varieties of wicker saxifrage, one can name:
- Tricolor,
- Maroon beauty,
- Harvest Moon.
Panicle saxifrage or Bedrenets
Is a tall type of flower. Grows up to 60 cm in height. This type is rarely used as a decorative ornament. Most often it is used as a medicinal product.Inflorescences of paniculate saxifrage are umbellate, and the flowers are small and usually white. The flowering of the species occurs in May-June.
Thigh grass
3 Care
The saxifrage is distinguished by its endurance, the flower is unpretentious in care. Most species are not afraid of drought and frost. For the development of a plant, it is enough to observe the following rules:
1. Watering. It is carried out as needed during severe drought. It is impossible to allow waterlogging of the earth so that the water does not stagnate
It is very important to monitor the soil moisture level, especially during the first time after planting. Subsequently, when the saxifrage completely covers the soil, it will be able to retain moisture on its own.
For this reason, the small roots of the plant tolerate even dry summers well.
2. Removal of weeds, especially in the first time after planting. Then the saxifrage will independently suppress their growth, and weeding will have to be carried out only in open areas.
3. Top dressing. The saxifrage thrives on depleted soil. She does not need top dressing, but if desired, you can use complex mineral fertilizers 1-2 times per season.
Shelter for a saxifrage at the end of autumn is not necessary, since it is frost-resistant, it is allowed to grow it in the northern regions.
Despite the fact that the culture is picky, under adverse conditions it can start to get sick. With the symptoms of pathologies, first of all, it is necessary to find out the cause and eliminate it. This is usually due to non-compliance with the rules of care.
Of the diseases in saxifrage, fungal infections are most common. They appear when the bushes are densely in the shade and when the air humidity is high. Saxifrage suffers from powdery mildew and rust. In this case, it is necessary to treat the plants with antifungal agents that contain copper. Bordeaux liquid will do.
Of the pests, the spider mite most often attacks the plant. Because of it, a white-gray thin cobweb and yellow spots appear on the leaves and cuttings. The latter is caused by the fact that the parasite feeds on the sap of the saxifrage, for which it bites through its leaves. Usually the appearance of a spider mite is associated with too dry air. Because of this, plants that are indoors are more likely to suffer. You can get rid of the pest with the help of acaricidal preparations. Suitable "Aktara", "Aktellik".
Reproduction of saxifrage by division and cuttings
The saxifrage, like many other perennial garden plants, is propagated by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush.
Some gardeners propagate thighs by dividing the bush. Usually this work is done when an old plant needs to be rejuvenated. After the flowering period, lateral rosettes are separated from the mother bush, so that roots must remain on them. Landing is done in a semi-shaded place. For the winter, the plants are left in the open field. When warm spring days come, they are transplanted to a permanent place.
Gardeners are quite successful in propagating saxifrage using cuttings after flowering. Long side shoots are bent to the soil and fixed in this position. Usually, by the end of August, roots grow back in this position. For the winter, the plants are covered. In the spring in April, young shoots are separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a site selected in advance.
After planting, proper care of the garden saxifrage is carried out, so that it quickly adapts to a new place and gets stronger.
Types of saxifrage: photos, names and descriptions
The vast kingdom of saxifrage is divided by botanists into sections, and those, in turn, into subsections. It is not necessary to know the exact classification of saxifrage, but if you take into account the belonging of a particular variety or species to a particular group, it is easier to deal with agricultural technology.
The most common, simplest, pillow-looking saxifrages are those of the Saxifraga section:
soddy saxifrage (S. caespitosa)
Arends' saxifrage (S. x arendsii)
These species and their varieties form rugs that can be grown simply in the foreground of a flower garden, along paths or between steps of stairs, as a ground cover. These plants are very unpretentious, winter-hardy, tolerate short-term flooding and dryness. All their agricultural techniques for caring for saxifrage flowers will be reduced to periodic, once every five years, redrawing, because old plants are bare in the middle and require renewal. Plants remain low even during the period when the seeds are ripe.
As you can see in the photo, this species of saxifrage has abundant, lush flowering:
The members of the Gymnopera section are generally larger with juicy, fleshy leaves. They grow rather slowly, bloom with whitish flowers on long peduncles. They prefer shaded places, they can be used in forest areas both in crevices and simply in flower beds.
Then the Alpine aristocracy begins. The species included in the Ligulatae section are also called silver saxiphrags. They are really silver! Not at all similar to the previous groups, their leaves are rigid, covered with numerous white outgrowths and specks. The section is numerous, the most popular are:
Saxifrage paniculata (S. paniculata)
long-leaved saxifrage (S. longifolia)
blunt-leaved saxifrage (5.cotyledon)
Other views are just as beautiful! Plants are decorative all year round (after all, their leaves are evergreen), bloom in early summer.
Pay attention to the photo - these saxifrage have small, white or freckled flowers, collected in complex inflorescences on relatively long stems:
There is no place for silver saxiphrags in the garden. There they will be crushed by more nimble neighbors, and winter or spring moisture will be destructive for them. These aristocrats must live on an alpine slide, running roots between limestone boulders. They need plenty of light and occasional hydration during dry periods.
The finest, most impressive saxifrages belong to the Porphyrion section, or inlaid. These miniature species naturally occur in the harshest conditions. Such plants are very popular abroad, breeders have been crossing them for a long time and have bred many breathtaking varieties.
As shown in the photo, growing and caring for saxifrage is also possible in pots:
This is due to the fact that, firstly, some species and varieties require strict adherence to moisture and soil conditions, therefore they are kept in special alpine greenhouses. Secondly, saxifrage is grown in bowls to be displayed at exhibitions. And thirdly, saxifrage grows well in conditions where the space for root development is limited.
Saxifrags of other sections are either rare in culture or insufficiently decorative.
Look at the photos of the saxifrage described above:
Appearance and classification of saxifrage
Most of the flowers of the Saxifrag family are stunted perennials, although there are one or two-year-old species, there is also a variety that grows up to 70 cm.
Plants form solid bushes with rosettes folded from massive rounded leaves. The stems generally grow up to 50 cm in height, while the leaves take on a slightly elongated shape, they are mainly dark and gray-green in color.
For reference: gray tones can appear due to the plant's love for lime, certain species have variegated leaves.
The saxifrage produces several flower stems from each rosette, its flowers usually have 5 petals. They differ in color depending on the member of the family.
Some common varieties
Picture 2 Arends's variety is popular among flower growers for its beauty and undemandingness
The plant is divided into subspecies such as:
- Purple with flowers and bearing stems of the corresponding color, the flower core is yellow.
- A flamingo that delights with its light pink bloom.
- The saxifrage is white - this is the color of the intermittent inflorescences of bells produced by it, the sod itself is dark green and low.
- Red Arends, with bright colors and the shortest height (grows up to 15 cm).
Moss saxifrage
Creeping and branching shoots of bryophyte saxifrage densely covered with rich light green foliage grow very closely, which makes it similar to moss growth. In summer, white-yellow buds bloom on the stalks that rise above the "moss" by about 6 cm.
The places chosen by the shady saxifrage live up to its name
The undersized saxifrage shady does not need intense lighting, its irregular oval leaves with a pinkish-purple lower part retain a rich green color all year round. In July, purple inflorescences bordered with white petals bloom.
Wicker saxifrage is one of the most beautiful representatives of the family
The natural habitat of saxifrage is the damp slopes of the Chinese and Japanese mountains. This ampelous perennial, also called a beard, spider or Venusian hair, grows up to 50 cm in height. Its threadlike lashes release roots as they spread.
Wicker saxifrage can grow in both home and garden conditions. The roundish foliage, speckled with white veins above and red below, bristles along the edges. This species stands out for its red mustache, its complex white or red flowers are pleasing to the eye from May to August.
Leaf edges of saxifrage paniculata are white from protruding salts
Saxifrage paniculata climbs the granite and limestone mountains, it grows in North America, Europe and the Caucasus. The height of the cover of its close-knit thickets does not exceed 8 cm. The narrowish gray and blue-green leaves begin at the roots and are very sharp, and the flowers that appear in late spring and early summer can be white, as well as red and pale yellow.
Small flowering of soddy saxifrage is compensated by its spreading gray-green turf
Soddy saxifrage is widespread in Canada, the United States and the northern regions of Eurasia, its dark green leafy rosettes are formed along with abundantly branching shoots immediately from the roots. The veins are more visible on the lower leaves, the plant blooms for about three weeks. This saxifrage is pink, white or red and blooms in June-July.
This is interesting: in some West Slavic legends, a tear-herb appears, which has a reputation as a universal remedy for locks, damage from iron weapons and even stone walls.
The saxifrage saxifrage, whose name comes from the Latin words saxum - "mountain" and fragere - "to break", received it for its habitat. It grows mainly in rocks, gradually destroying the mountain slope on which it settled. Despite this peculiarity, among the areas of growth of saxifrage, places with soil blown onto the rocks prevail.
Possible problems in growing saxifrage
This bush is resistant to diseases and parasites, but the health of the flower can be shaken due to the violation of the conditions of maintenance and vital activity of pests.
Changes in appearance
Yellow, dry and deformed lower leaves indicate the old age of the plant, in this case it is time to carry out the renewal procedure.
The lack of branching and layering may indicate a lack of nutrients, which can be easily replenished with a quick-acting liquid top dressing or a universal top dressing capsule placed 3-5 cm deep into the soil.
The fading and looseness of the bush can be observed both with a lack of lighting and with overheating - in this case, it is necessary to urgently change the location of the pot.
Additional Information. As a preventive measure, it is useful to take care of the leaves, wiping with warm water from dust once a month.
Frequent illnesses
- Excess moisture can lead to decay of the root system.When wilting and blackening, the plant should be examined for decaying roots. They are removed along with the affected leaves. The surviving petioles can be rooted in a temporary sand substrate with pieces of sphagnum in a 50/50 ratio. A greenhouse effect is created, the pot is placed in a place with the recommended temperature and sufficient lighting. The saxifrage can release its first sprout within a month.
- Rust infestation occurs through insect-borne fungal spores, with grainy spots of the corresponding color indicating that the water balance is imbalanced. Rust is treated by removing the affected areas and applying a fungicide, which is repeated 10 days later. In this case, the plant should be protected from the presence of conifers.
- Powdery mildew is a consequence of a fungus, white spots on the lower leaves with time of maturation of the spores are replaced by drops of moisture. This stops the flower from growing and makes it vulnerable to cold. Damaged shoots should be separated and burned, and the plant itself should be treated with fungicides such as Quadris or Skor.
Main parasites
- Infection with a spider mite is manifested in the dryness of the saxifrage. The leaves turn yellow, and a light cobweb appears on their bases. This is treated by removing and burning the affected areas, then applying an insecticide.
- A sticky white bloom on the leaves is the secretions of aphids, the flower is washed with soap and regularly sprayed with a settled composition of garlic, pyrethrum, onion peel and pepper.
- The inflorescences and foliage of the plant attract worms; they multiply quickly when the flower lacks moisture. Symptoms are a sugar-like discharge. Worms are treated by treating the affected areas with a composition of 12 g of soap per liter of water once a week and hand-picking the pests. In the future, the saxifrage must be treated with biotlin or confidor.
Additional Information. In addition to these pests, the flower can be infested with thrips and nematodes.
The beauty of the plant deteriorates if the conditions of maintenance are not observed during the cultivation process, which entails uneven stems and bald spots in the usually tight branching cover. Open ground can attract birds and mice to the flower.
In general, growing saxifrage is not difficult, and the wide variety of species opens up good space for decorating a room or garden. For inexperienced gardeners, the plant is quite suitable.
Using saxifrage in the garden with a photo
All perennial saxifrage flowers, regardless of the type and variety, look bright and beautiful on the backyard. They look the most advantageous in rock gardens, parterres and on ridges. This plant is planted in rockeries, mixborders in the foreground, used to create carpet beds. It goes well with heuchera, lobelia, stonecrop, thyme, irises, muscari and other undersized crops. Very unusual combinations with lingonberries and similar berries.
Arends' saxifrage is suitable for forcing.
Looking at the above photo of a saxifrage growing in a garden with other ornamental crops, you can come to the conclusion that this flower is appropriate in almost any planting.
Interestingly, saxifrage smells a bit like cucumbers, but the smell of pure essential oil is rather unpleasant.
The taste of thigh leaves is slightly tart, but pleasant. Young leaves and root are added to salads, vinaigrette, soups, used as a seasoning in sausage production.
Inflorescences, along with dill, are used for salting cucumbers and tomatoes. The aerial parts, and especially the fruit, are used to flavor wines and beers. Vodka is infused on the roots and flowers. Vodka liqueur is considered one of the noblest, has a golden color.
In homeopathy, it is used for headaches, tinnitus and nosebleeds. Well eaten by cows and sheep in pasture and in hay. This culture is an excellent honey plant.
You can find out even more useful and interesting information about the amazing flower - saxifrage by watching the video below:
Recommendations for growing saxifrage from seeds
The method of growing saxifrage from seeds is proven and effective, but in order for germination to be high, you need to adhere to some recommendations for growing them. Seedlings from seeds are grown indoors in the spring. This work can be done in April and May. Nutritious, loose, light soil is poured into small boxes, rammed, slightly moistened and seeds are carefully poured on top. After planting the flower seeds, the saxifrage cover the containers with foil to create a kind of mini-greenhouse. The greenhouse is kept in a warm, bright place. Under these conditions, seeds will germinate in 1.5 - 2 weeks. The grown seedlings dive into separate peat pots. The hardened plants are planted in open ground in June. Saxifrage grown in this way will start flowering next year.
You can plant saxifrage seeds directly in open ground, for this they take freshly harvested or two to three-year-old seeds. Before sowing, they are disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then dried and mixed with sand. In the selected area, shallow furrows are made and prepared seeds are sown in them. After that, it is covered with a small layer of soil and watered. Sowing is carried out in March - April. You can do this work before winter, then the seeds will undergo natural stratification. If shoots appear within 25 - 30 days after planting, then the sowing of the seeds was successful. Otherwise, other crops can be safely planted in this place.
Problems with growing and caring for saxifrage on the site
From the description of the saxifrage plant, it follows that this is a rather persistent and unpretentious crop, but sometimes in the process of growing the gardener may encounter certain problems.
If good drainage is not ensured, moisture in the soil constantly stagnates, which leads to decay of the root system. In this case, you need to dig out a bush and carefully examine it. Carefully cut off the decayed part and destroy, leave healthy sockets. Next, the plant is transplanted to another site for rooting.
In prolonged heat and dry weather, the flower can infect a spider mite. To prevent its occurrence, the bush must be periodically inspected, and if traces of the pest are found (white spider web on the leaves and stem), treat the plant with protective drugs. If this is not done, the mite will damage the saxifrage even more, as a result the leaves will turn yellow, dry out and fall off.
Conclusion: to avoid problems with saxifrage after planting it in open ground, you need to take proper care of it.
Reproduction methods
Reproduction of saxifrage is a fairly simple procedure that even an inexperienced but responsible amateur florist can handle. One of the important conditions on which the results of the work depend is the quality of the planting material used for plant breeding.
The saxifrage reproduces with the help of:
- seeds;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
Seed propagation
Before sowing, the small seeds of the plant are necessarily stratified. After this procedure, sowing is carried out in shallow planting containers filled with a universal soil mixture or a mixture of peat, turf, humus and sand. The soil should be soaked before sowing.
Seeds are sown superficially, without burying them into the substrate. At the end of the work, the seeds are lightly sprinkled with fine sand. If the planting material is excessively covered with soil, its germination potential will be drastically reduced. After sowing, the container is tightened with foil and placed on a warm and well-lit window. Usually, seedlings appear after a week, but in some cases, seed germination can take 10-14 days. After the first shoots appear, the film is removed.While young seedlings are growing, the room temperature should be maintained at 20-22 °.
Reproduction by layering
This method is used after the donor plant has finished flowering (usually in the middle of summer). Then, choosing the strongest side stems, they are bent to the ground and pinned with a wooden or plastic bracket. Earth is poured over the staples and spilled abundantly. While the cuttings are taking root, the soil at the location of the staples is constantly moistened.
Before wintering, the rooting layers are covered with a layer of spruce branches or covered with sawdust. If all the manipulations are performed correctly, then in the spring the gardener will receive a new young plant, which can be easily separated from the donor bush and transplanted to another place.
Splitting the bush
To implement this method, it is necessary to choose a healthy and strong donor plant. Before the procedure, you should also prepare the landing pits in advance. It is best to arrange them in a slightly shaded place. Having dug a hole, on its bottom you need to lay fragments of drainage (expanded clay, pebbles, gravel), pour a mixture of lime, compost, earth and sand on top. This will ensure optimal acidity and sufficient moisture and air permeability of the soil.
1-2 hours before the procedure, the donor bush is spilled abundantly to facilitate its extraction from the ground
Then the plant is carefully dug out, being careful not to damage the roots. After that, using a sharp shovel, the bush is divided into several parts with confident and precise movements.
The resulting parts are transferred into the holes, covered with earth, compacted from all sides and watered abundantly. Before wintering, the planted parts of the plants are covered with spruce branches.
Sowing seeds
Saxifrage seeds are very small, 12,000 pieces weigh only one gram. Such a trifle is not covered with soil, but only distributed over the surface and moistened from the sprayer. For a more even sowing, you can mix the seeds with clean sand.
The soil for sowing is made up of equal parts of garden soil, humus, sand and peat, it is good to add a glass of sifted wood ash to 5 liters of the mixture. You can use a regular store-bought universal neutral primer for flowers.
Plates with crops in early March are removed in the refrigerator for 12 - 14 days for mandatory stratification. If conditions permit, you can bury the boxes in the snow in the yard.
After placing the crops in the warmth, shoots can be expected within 10 days. For Arends's saxifrage, a temperature of + 18 ... + 20 degrees is sufficient for germination. Later, it is reduced to +16 degrees.
Seedling care consists in infrequent watering with warm and soft water, strictly under the root. It is convenient to use a syringe or syringe for these purposes. In case of excessive humidity, it can be affected by a black leg.
A pick into separate glasses is carried out a couple of weeks after the emergence of shoots.
Arends' saxifrage is planted in the ground in early May. At this time, the matured seedlings will not be afraid of short-term frosts, and will take root well at a low temperature that is comfortable for themselves.
The best areas are light partial shade, clearings under trees and slopes open to the sun only at sunrise and sunset. In areas completely open to the sun, the culture can also grow, but the color of the leaves will be faded, the plant will have to be watered more often.
In nature, saxiphrags grow well on poor sandy and rocky soils, even in rock crevices. In the garden, the soil is prepared loose, airy, with a high proportion of sand.
The presence of fertilizers is undemanding. However, acidic soils will have to be limed.
Saxifrage bushes are placed at a distance of 15 - 17 cm from each other, taking into account the growth of a perennial plant. Seedlings are transplanted by the transshipment method, without burying the stem into the soil.
The saxifrage grows almost by itself. Watering is required in moderation, in the usual summer of the middle lane it gets enough rain. Additional moisture may be required young, just planted plants.
As a top dressing, it is enough to spill a superphosphate solution in early spring (an incomplete spoonful of fertilizer per 10 liters of water).
Dried peduncles after flowering must be removed so as not to spoil the decorative appearance.
With improper agricultural technology or adverse weather conditions, it can suffer from gray rot, rust. Of the pests, the plant is annoyed by aphids, spider mites. It is worth periodically inspecting the plants in order to start treatment on time.
Transplanting and growing from seeds
Such a plant quickly takes up all the space provided to it. But after the free land ends, the saxifrage stops growing and just blooms periodically. The plant does not require frequent transplantation. Basically, this procedure is carried out when it is necessary to propagate a flower or when the root system fills the pot completely.
Perennial saxifrage
As for such a flower as saxifrage, planting and care in the open field is not difficult. It is enough to take a suitable wide pot of shallow depth and fill it with a layer of drainage and universal soil. Further, part of the rosette with roots is transplanted to a new place.
Saxifrage can be propagated not only by roots, but also by seeds. But some species of this flower are not particularly convenient to grow from scratch, since the waiting period for seedlings can take several months. The optimal time for sowing seeds is winter.
Reproduction of saxifrage by seeds
You don't need to keep an eye on them, and sowing is very simple. It is enough to scatter the seeds on the ground and sprinkle them with a little sand. After the first true leaf appears, a pick may be necessary.
Saplings can also be planted. With the optimal scheme for planting in open ground, a distance of 20-30 centimeters between each plant is maintained. This procedure is best done in June. For the winter, the flower must be sprinkled with foliage so that it does not freeze.
Bright saxifrage flower
It is very convenient to propagate saxifrage with young shoots. But for this, it is necessary to initially plant the plant so that it gives a lot of hanging outlets, after which you can carefully cut off the green parts and move them to a new place in a suitable pot or flower bed.
Description of leaves and flowers of saxifrage
Almost all representatives of this family are herbaceous perennials, the height of the stems of which can reach several centimeters or one and a half meters, depending on the species.
Drought-resistant varieties of this plant, picking up in the lowlands, have a well-developed root system and pubescent leathery leaves. It is thanks to the fleshy leaves covered with dense skin that saxifrage is able to tolerate a lack of moisture. The shape of the flower is very similar to bells, so the plant is often called the saxifrage bell.
Despite the fact that this plant is a perennial, in a garden or flower bed, most of its species are not able to exist all year round, since at temperatures below +6 ºС it begins to hurt and eventually dies.
Therefore, it is advisable to transplant it together with a lump of earth into boxes or temporary pots in which it will grow on the veranda or balcony all winter. You can initially grow saxifrage in portable outdoor pots, so that it is easier to protect it from cold and frost.
Precipitation is collected in rosettes and nourishes the growing shoots of the flower. A saxifrage plant that lives in the wild on rocks and talus, in addition to a fibrous rhizome, has a bifurcated main root that goes deep into the soil. Such plants are characterized by a pillow form of growth and the presence of shortened shoots pressed to the ground.
After the water molecules evaporate, limescale remains in these pits. It is due to the accumulation of this sediment that the evaporation of moisture from the leaves decreases and the detrimental effect of excessive high-altitude radiation on the plant decreases.