half-pint flora ( Justicia brandegeana or Beloperone guttata ) is a indigene of Mexico that also fit by the name of false hops and Mexican runt bush . It prefers fond mood , though in some northerly state of matter it is rise from cuttings as an yearly out-of-doors or is grow indoors in pots . Shrimp plant life tolerate a wide of the mark range of planting conditions and is n’t susceptible to many diseases . The few diseases that fire half-pint plant life can be avoided or treated with comparative ease .
Types
Fungal foliage situation affects shrimp plant when the weather is warm and wet , or when it is repeatedly watered on the leaf . There are several assortment of foliage spot , and most cause cosmetic , not calamitous equipment casualty . nematode , though not technically a disease , are a microscopic pest that infests the root of runt plant . ascendant rot disease takes place when the dirt can not drain , and the root have little to no access to oxygen .
Symptoms
Tiny John Brown , tan or black spots on the leave are the first symptom of leafage smear fungus . These dapple may acquire together until they form splodge , and in grievous cases the shrimp plant may start to defoliate . Nematodes will cause root harm that will ensue in dwarfing , yellowing and wilt . Root putrefaction will cause wilt of the flora , the soil will likely be soggy and roots will appear vile and brown .
Prevention
Avoid planting shrimp plant too closelipped in climates with frequent rain ; spacing works 2 feet apart furnish air circulation that serve keep leaves dry . Interplant shrimp flora with African marigolds ( Tagetes erecta ) to help bottle up nematode populations before they become a problem . If you embed shrimp plant life annually , use African marigold as a cover song crop . works in well - enfeeble soil and/or raised bed and avoid watering to a fault to prevent root bunkum .
Treatment
If the shrimp plant is defoliate from leaf spot , do not fertilize , but remove all fallen leave from the planting surface area . Avoid overhead watering and wait for a new flush of growth . If shrimp plants are crowded , thin them out so air can circulate in the planting bed and keep the leaves drier . Treat nematode with nemacide , or plant a novel shrimp plant in a different area of the garden . organ transplant runt plant in soggy soil to dry stain , and avoid irrigate for at least a hebdomad to allow the roots to dry out out .
Considerations
Fungicides are generally not necessary for shrimp plant , even when they have a fungous disease such as folio spot or antecedent putrefaction . Good ethnic praxis are easier , less expensive , and less tax on the microbe community of interests of the dirt . Remember , fungicides obliterate good fungus as well as harmful fungus . There are many miscellany of fungus that protect roots or encourage nutrient concentration in the ascendent geographical zone , such as mycorrhiza . Use fungicide only as a last resort .
