A bunch of red
一
Splendens (scientific name: Salvia
splendens), also known as firecracker red, ivory red, western Red (Guangzhou), Qianxiahong (Beijing), Ivory Begonia (Yunnan), Paozihua (Fujian), perennial herb to dwarf shrub plant, genus Salvia
Lamiaceae, native to Brazil . The leaves are opposite, ovate, up to 7 cm long and 5 cm wide, with serrated edges. In summer and autumn, there are terminal racemes in clusters. Most of the flowers are bright red, but they also have white flowers (commonly known as "a string of white flowers"). Calyx
Bell-shaped, the same color as the corolla.
A string of red, also known as firecracker red, is a plant of the genus Salvia in the family Lamiaceae. A bunch of red inflorescences are slender, bright red in color, have a long flowering period and are highly adaptable. They are the most commonly cultivated herbaceous flowers in Chinese cities and gardens. In recent years, there have been new developments in the application of ornamental plants of the genus Salvia abroad. Many new varieties of Salvia spp. China has also introduced it and produced it in small batches, and it has achieved good results in urban landscape layout.
2 Main characteristics?
Multiple
Annual herb, often cultivated as a first or second year, with a plant height of 30-80cm, square stems upright and smooth. The leaves are opposite, oval, with serrated edges. Vertically umbrella-shaped racemes are attached to the tops of branches, with lip-shaped crowns and corollas. The corolla and calyx are the same color, and the calyx is persistent. Variants include white, pink, purple, etc., and the flowering period is from July to frost. Small nuts, ripening period from October to November. Biological characteristics:
It likes sun but also tolerates semi-shade. It is suitable for fertilizing and loosening the soil. It has poor cold tolerance and the suitable growth temperature is 20-25 degrees Celsius.
A bunch of red, also known as firecracker red, firecracker red, Sarya, wall red, grass ivory red.
The flowers are in the shape of small long tubes, red and lively in color, with trichosanthes. When the flowers bloom, they look like a string of red firecrackers, so it is also called firecracker red.
A bunch of reds are native to Brazil and are now cultivated throughout our country. A bunch of red is the herbaceous flower of Lamiaceae. A bunch of red flowers bloom continuously from late summer to late autumn and are not easy to wither. They are ideal flowers for flower beds. It is said that there are also purple flowers, called a bunch of purple; white flowers, called a bunch of white; pink flowers, called a bunch of pink. A bunch of red fruits are small nuts, oval in shape, containing black seeds, which are easy to fall off and can self-sow and reproduce.
3 Related habits?
A bunch of reds are native to Brazil, South America. Likes a warm and sunny environment. Not cold tolerant, tolerant of semi-shade, avoid frost, snow and high temperatures, afraid of stagnant water and alkaline soil.
A string of red is more sensitive to temperature. Seed germination requires 21-23°C. It is difficult to germinate when the temperature is below 15°C. Germination is uneven below 20°C. The optimum temperature for the seedling stage is 7-13°C in winter, and the best temperature for the growth period from March to June is 13-18°C. If the temperature exceeds 30°C, the growth and development of the plant will be hindered, and the flowers and leaves will become smaller. Therefore, during the high temperature period in summer, it is necessary to cool down or provide appropriate shade to control the normal growth of a bunch of reds. If exposed to a low temperature of 5℃ for a long time, it is susceptible to frost damage.
Yizhuanhong is a light-loving flower, and the cultivation site must have sufficient sunlight, which is very beneficial to the growth and development of Yichuanhong. If there is insufficient light, the plants will easily grow leggy, with slender stems and leaves, and light green leaves. If the light is poor for a long time, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. If flowering plants are placed in a place with poor lighting, the flowers are often not bright and easy to fall off. Sensitive to photoperiod and has short-day habits.
A bunch of reds require loose, fertile and well-drained sandy loam soil. It is very sensitive to soil treated with methyl bromide and alkaline soil, and is suitable for growth in soil with a pH of 5.5-6.0.
Related habits?
A bunch of reds are native to Brazil, South America. Likes a warm and sunny environment. Not cold tolerant, tolerant of semi-shade, avoid frost, snow and high temperatures, afraid of stagnant water and alkaline soil.
A string of red is more sensitive to temperature. Seed germination requires 21-23°C. It is difficult to germinate when the temperature is below 15°C. Germination is uneven below 20°C. The optimum temperature for the seedling stage is 7-13°C in winter, and the best temperature for the growth period from March to June is 13-18°C. If the temperature exceeds 30°C, the growth and development of the plant will be hindered, and the flowers and leaves will become smaller. Therefore, during the high temperature period in summer, it is necessary to cool down or provide appropriate shade to control the normal growth of a bunch of reds. If exposed to a low temperature of 5℃ for a long time, it is susceptible to frost damage.
Yizhuanhong is a light-loving flower, and the cultivation site must have sufficient sunlight, which is very beneficial to the growth and development of Yichuanhong. If there is insufficient light, the plants will easily grow leggy, with slender stems and leaves, and light green leaves. If the light is poor for a long time, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. If flowering plants are placed in a place with poor lighting, the flowers are often not bright and easy to fall off. It is sensitive to photoperiod and has short-day habits.
A bunch of reds require loose, fertile and well-drained sandy loam soil. It is very sensitive to soil treated with methyl bromide and alkaline soil, and is suitable for growth in soil with a pH of 5.5-6.0.
4 Distribution of origin?
Originally produced in Brazil, it is widely cultivated in various parts of my country.
5 Main varieties?
Common varieties include the Salsa series, among which the two-color variety is more famous, Rose
RoseBioolor , Orange-red bicolor (Salmon Bicolor) is more attractive, and it only takes 60-70 days from sowing to flowering. The Sizzler series is currently the most popular variety in Europe. It has won the Royal Horticultural Society Variety Award many times, including Salmon Bicolor, Burgundy, and Austrian varieties. Varieties such as Orchid are very popular internationally and have the characteristics of plump inflorescences, bright colors, strong dwarfity, good branching, and early flowering. The Clapatra series has a plant height of 30 cm, good branching properties, and flower colors include white, pink, rose red, dark red, lavender, etc., and starts blooming from a plant height of 10 cm. Blaze of Fire, plant height 30-40 cm, early flowering species, long flowering period, about 55 days from sowing to flowering. In addition, there are dwarf varieties such as RedVista, RedArrow and Phoenix.
The ornamental species of the same genus include S. coccinea, among which Lady in Red has bright red flowers; Coral NympH has orange-red calyx and double white corolla.
Color species; Snow NympH calyx and corolla are pure white. Pink-calyx sage (S.farinacea), of which SilverWhite has white flowers; Strata has white calyx and blue corolla. It takes 85-90 days from sowing to flowering; Victoria The calyx and corolla are both dark purple.
6 Other information?
6.1 Flowering in four seasons
Yizhanhong, also known as Western red, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. A bunch of red flowers bloom during the National Day, and the flower color is mostly red. The fiery red flowers express enthusiasm and unrestrainedness, adding a joyful atmosphere to the festival. A bunch of reds like warmth and sunshine, and are suitable for growing in fertile soil. They are not cold-tolerant and will wither after frost, so they are grown as annual flowers in my country
. It is relatively heat-resistant. The optimal temperature is 20℃-25℃. Leaves will yellow and fall off below 15℃, and freeze below 10℃, which may lead to death. It can survive the winter in the open field in Lingnan and in a greenhouse in Central China. In South China
Properly cultivated, it can bloom all year round. In production, the following measures are taken all year round to achieve people's expected flowering period.
The production cycle of Yichuanhong is about 100 days in South China. If you want it to bloom on the "5.1" festival, it should be sown in early January; Yichuanhong sown in May and June can be planted in Flowers bloom around the Spring Festival.
In sowing and cultivation, Yichuanhong should be topping for the first time when there are 2 to 4 pairs of true leaves, and repeated 2 to 3 times to cultivate a plump plant shape.
Pruning measures: Generally, stop pruning one month before flowering. However, in order to delay the flowering period, pruning during the budding stage can delay the flowering period by 15 days to 30 days. Remove the remaining flower branches in time and add fertilizer and water appropriately, which can not only improve the viewing effect, but also extend the flowering period.
Fertilizer and water management: Control water and N before flowering to delay flowering.
Propagation by cuttings It is very easy to propagate a bunch of red cuttings to survive. Use an ordinary sand bed, appropriate shade, keep the humidity above 80%, and the temperature above 20°C. Roots can take place in 15 to 20 days, and the survival rate is extremely high. . In order to catch up with the flowering period, take cuttings from the mother branches that have completed the growth period. They will bloom after a month, but the plant size will be smaller.
Notes 1. A bunch of reds are extremely resistant to drought. If the soil is dry, they will appear wilting, which affects the ornamental value. Therefore, watering should be sufficient, watering twice a day in summer. 2. Various measures should be combined with fertilizer and water management. [1]
6.2 Propagation method
The main method is sowing propagation, but it can also be used for cutting propagation. The sowing time can be carried out from March to early June in spring (from late February to early March in Shanghai area). There is no need to cover the soil after sowing. The temperature should be kept at about 20°C, and germination will occur in about 12 days. Propagation by cuttings can be carried out in summer and autumn (the flower colors vary greatly, so you can sow seeds in advance to separate the flower colors, and then propagate by cuttings).
Sowing and propagation are generally sown from March to June. The seeds are larger, with 260-280 seeds per gram. The suitable temperature for germination is 21-23℃, and germination occurs 15-18 days after sowing. If sowing in autumn can be done indoors, the room temperature must be above 21°C so that germination can be quick and neat. Below 20°C, germination potential decreases significantly. In addition, a bunch of red seeds are light-loving and do not need to be covered with soil after sowing. Light vermiculite can be used to place around the seeds, which does not affect light transmission but also has a moisturizing effect. It can improve the germination rate and uniformity. Generally, the germination rate reaches 85%. —90%.
It is best to propagate by cuttings from May to August. Choose strong and substantial branches, 10 cm long, and insert them into sterilized leaf mold soil. Keep the inserting soil at 20°C. Roots can take place in 10 days after insertion and transplanted in 20 days.
6.3 Cultivation and management
A bunch of reds like a warm, humid and sunny environment, are afraid of cold, and avoid hot and dry climates. The suitable growing temperature is 20-25 degrees. If the temperature is below 5 degrees, the leaves will gradually turn yellow and fall off.
A bunch of reds are highly adaptable but grow well in loose, fertile, well-drained soil.
To pot a bunch of red plants, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied in the pot. It is not advisable to water too much in the early stage of growth. It can be watered once every two days to prevent the leaves from turning yellow and falling off. When entering the vigorous growth period, you can appropriately increase the amount of watering and start applying top dressing twice a month to make the flowers bloom luxuriantly and extend the flowering period. When the seedlings have 4 leaves, start pruning to promote more branches of the plant. Generally, pruning can be done 3-4 times.
In addition to the self-sowing propagation ability mentioned above, Yichuanhong can also be propagated by artificial sowing and cuttings. Sowing can be carried out in March-April, and the seedlings can be transplanted and planted when they are 5-10 cm tall. Cuttings can be carried out when the temperature is above 15 degrees. Select a slightly hardened and strong branch, cut it into a piece about 6 cm long, insert it half deep into the planting bed, and new roots will sprout in half a month. It can also be propagated by dividing roots from old plants.
Attention should be paid to air circulation when placing a potted bunch of reds, and fertilizer and water management should be appropriate, otherwise the plants will suffer from rot or be attacked by aphids, red spiders, etc. If insect pests are found, spray 40% Dimethoate 1500 times for control.
6.4 Sowing method
In southern China, late March to early April is usually the best time to sow a string of red dew fields. Choose leeward, sunny, and drainage conditions. Good sandy soil is used as a seedbed. The surface of the soil is loosened, broken and leveled, and then exposed to the sun for a few days. The seedling soil is then disinfected with high potassium manganate solution. Sow a bunch of red seeds on the seedbed, and then sprinkle an appropriate amount of carbofuran on the seedbed (this drug can kill various pests such as ants and earthworms without any harm to the seeds). Keep the seedbed moist at ordinary times. Seedlings can emerge in 6 to 7 days at 16°C to 21°C. When there are 3 to 4 true leaves, the seedlings can be transplanted in pots.
6.5 Cutting method
Cutting can be done from May to August in summer and autumn. The cuttings should be taken from young branches with sufficient tissue, and the top buds should be removed and then inserted again. Rooting is easy. In the hot and dry season of summer, pay attention to shade and cooling, spray water frequently to keep it moist, and it can be transplanted in about 15 days.
6.6 Cultivation
A bunch of red beetles
The planting distance is about 40 cm, and fertile, loose soil or sandy soil rich in humus is suitable. During the peak growth season, phosphorus-containing liquid fertilizer can be applied once or twice to promote lush flowering. A bunch of reds usually don't like heavy water, otherwise they are prone to yellow leaves and fallen leaves, resulting in large plants with sparse flowers and few flowers. During the growth period, pruning and shaping should be done frequently to control plant height and branching. Promote long and plump inflorescences and neat blooms.
Spring sowers 9
Flowers bloom from April to October. Old plants overwintering in the greenhouse also have flowers from May to June, but not as many as in summer and autumn. Although the branches and leaves grow vigorously in hot summer, the flowers are scarce. The flowering stage of a bunch of red flowers is relatively late. If you want to collect seeds, they should be sown in the greenhouse or hotbed in early March. This can slightly advance the flowering stage and help to achieve good fruiting. A bunch of red seeds are easy to fall off, or they often fail to mature fully due to the cool autumn. They are usually potted and then moved to a greenhouse to overwinter. Cut new branches and cut them in the second year, and they will take root very easily. In hotbeds above
15℃, cuttings can be taken at any time. The cuttings will take root in about 10 to 20 days, and can be transplanted in 30 days. The flowering stage of cutting seedlings is faster than that of seedlings, and the height of the plants is also easy to control. Plants transplanted late will be short and weak in growth, but will have little impact on the flowering period. The flowers will still be luxuriant, making it easier to arrange. If the purpose is to collect seeds, it is best to use seedlings. The bunch of reds used for the National Day were cut in early July. At this time, the weather is hot, so you should pay attention to shade. When it rains, you should pay attention to preventing rain and drainage.
A bunch of red seedlings should be pinched when they have 3 to 4 pairs of true leaves. Each plant has at least 4 lateral branches and should be moved to the flower bed when the flower color is visible at the branch ends. If you apply phosphorus fertilizer before flowering, flowering will be better. A bunch of red flower calyxes will fade over time but will not fall off. When displaying them for viewing, the remaining flowers need to be removed at any time to keep the flowers colorful.
6.7 Pest and disease control
6.8 Leaf spot and downy mildew
Leaf spot and downy mildew often occur, and 65% of zinc can be used Spray wet powder 500 times liquid. Common insect pests include Spodoptera exigua, short-fronted locusts, whiteflies and aphids, which can be killed by spraying 10% permethrin EC 2000 times.
For leaf rot caused by wet ground, high temperature, severe shade, and lack of ventilation, timely measures should be taken. Insect pests are mainly caused by red spider mites under dry and hot conditions, which can be killed by adding 1000 to 1500 times of dicofol in water. Aphids can be eliminated with omethoate water added 1000 times of water. Whiteflies can be killed by adding 1,000 times the amount of water and adding a small amount of Tween, shaking well and spraying.
Mildew is a devastating disease that mainly harms the stems, branches and leaves of flowers. The disease has a high incidence rate and develops rapidly, which can cause a large number of flowers to be destroyed. die. After the plant becomes infected, water-stained, dark green irregular spots appear on the infected parts of the stems at the initial stage of damage, which gradually expand and spread upward. In the later stage, the lesions are dark brown and the edges are not obvious. The disease develops rapidly, quickly extending to the middle, and even patches appear on the top. In severe cases, the entire stem of the plant turns black
. Leaf damage mostly occurs at the leaf margin and leaf base. After the petiole is damaged, the leaves will wilt. When the disease is humid, scattered white mold develops on the affected area. Prevention and control methods: (1) Focus on controlling humidity and do not place or plant too densely.
In high temperature and high humidity seasons, attention should be paid to drainage, pot inversion, and ventilation. When watering, prevent soil from splashing onto the leaves. Water the leaves less often to reduce disease conditions. (2) When diseased plants are found, remove them and burn them immediately. At the same time, apply 5g-10g of 70% pentachloronitrobenzene powder to the soil every day to prevent the spread of the disease. (3) Spray 700 times of 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder or 600 times of chlorthalonil wettable powder at the initial stage of disease, and spray the soil under the plants wet.
6.9 A string of red mosaic virus diseases
Symptoms: After the plant becomes infected, the leaves mainly show dark and light green mosaics or mottled leaves, and the leaves are wrinkled, small, and the texture changes. Brittle, the plants become dwarfed and clustered, and the flower spikes become shorter.
Pathogen and incidence pattern:
Virus. There are four main types of viruses that harm Yichuanhong in Beijing, among which the main pathogen is cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Aphids and cassava whiteflies can transmit the virus. Since the growing season of a bunch of reds coincides with the occurrence period of aphids, aphids are closely related to the occurrence of diseases. In September and October in Beijing, due to the reproduction of aphids, the disease spreads and spreads in large quantities, causing serious damage. In addition, grafting can also transmit viruses.
Prevention and control methods:
(1) Aphids should be carefully controlled during the plant growth period. Use 40% Dimethoate 1000 times solution, 50% Marathon 1000 times solution or 90% Trichlorfon 1000 times solution for control. (2) Eliminate weeds in the red cultivation area to reduce the source of infection. (3) Destroy diseased plants promptly when found. (4) In the early stage of the disease, spray 20% Virusin 400 times 2-4 times. (5) Select non-toxic healthy plants as mother plants for seed collection or propagate with seeds.
6.10 Garden use
It is often used as the main material of flower beds and flower borders, and is often used as potted plants in northern areas.
6.11 Postpartum treatment
A string of red potted plants is suitable for arranging large flower beds and flower borders, and the landscape effect is particularly good. In particular, the pure and multi-colored flowers of new varieties in recent years have brought about a qualitative change in the color of flower beds. Dwarf varieties of potted plants, used for window sills and balconies
Beautification and decoration beside the house and in front of the steps, with bright colors and warm atmosphere. However, the addition of many pink/white, red/white two-color varieties and blue/white, purple/white pink and other sages makes the living environment more elegant and unique.
The most deadly disease of a bunch of red is mosaic disease, also called a bunch of red virus disease. Its symptoms are that the leaves turn yellow, wrinkle, and become smaller, and the entire plant It shrinks and does not grow until it dies. Since this disease is mostly caused by aphids, the method of killing aphids and preventing the disease should be adopted in the prevention and control. When the leaves turn yellow seriously, 2000-3000 times of ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetate can be used. Solution, once every 7 days, three consecutive times can basically cure the disease.
6.12 Diseases and prevention measures
6.13 Fungal infection
Black spot disease: mainly affects leaves, petioles and young shoots. When the leaves first become infected, purple spots appear on the front. Brown to brown dots, which often become round or irregular dark brown lesions after enlargement. Drugs such as carbendazim, thiophanate methyl, and diconine can be sprayed.
Powdery mildew: Infects young leaves, with white powder appearing on both sides. The symptoms are not obvious in the early stage. 3-5 days after the white powder layer appears, the leaves become water-soaked, gradually lose green and turn yellow, and are seriously injured. This will cause the leaves to fall off. During the onset period, carbendazim and triadimefon can be sprayed, but Guoguang Yingna has the best effect.
Up to 2/3, the diseased part becomes chlorotic and yellow, and the brown part dries up and falls off. To prevent and control the above diseases
In addition to strengthening fertilizer and water management, diseased branches and leaves should be cut off in winter, and underground fallen leaves should be removed to reduce the source of initial invasion. When the disease occurs, comprehensive prevention and treatment should be adopted, and carbendazim, methylmethane should be sprayed Bactericidal agents such as thiophanate.
The main focus of disease prevention is to spray bactericidal drugs regularly during high temperature, high humidity or rainy seasons, and spray lime sulfur mixture for comprehensive sterilization when the seedlings enter the dormant stage to ensure the healthy growth of the seedlings and the strong growth of the seedlings. , itself resists certain disease invasion.
6.14 Pest Control
1. The larvae of the thorn moths
are mainly the yellow thorn moth, the brown-edge green thorn moth, the brown thorn moth, the mulberry brown thorn moth, and the flat thorn moth. They eat a large number of leaves during the high temperature season. Control methods: Once discovered, spray immediately with 90% trichlorfon crystals 800 times liquid, or 2.5% pyrethrin emulsifiable concentrate 1500 times liquid.
2． Scale insects
Mainly include white ring scales, Japanese turtle scales, red wax scales, brown soft wax scales, blowing cotton scales, bran shield scales, snake-eyed scales, etc. Their harmful characteristics are piercing and sucking. The sap of red tender stems and young leaves leads to poor plant growth, which is mainly caused by high temperature and humidity, poor ventilation, and poor light. Control method: During the peak hatching period of the nymphs, spray with 2,000 times of 25% Promethazine wettable powder.
3. Aphids
Mainly include red-tube aphids, green peach aphids, etc. They suck the sap from young organs of plants and damage tender stems, young leaves, flower buds, etc., seriously affecting the growth and flowering of plants.
Prevention and control methods: Spray immediately with 2000 times of 10% imidacloprid wettable performance powder.
4. Rose three-noded sawflies
Most of them are in the larval stage. Dozens or hundreds of them swarm to cause harm. They can eat all the young leaves of the plant in a short time, leaving only a few main leaf veins, seriously damaging the plant. Normal birth.
Prevention and control methods: For a small number of potted plants, you can pick the leaves with a large number of larvae when they first appear and trample them to death. If it appears in large quantities, it can be sprayed with 4000 times of 75% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate.
5. Cinnabar spider mites
There can be 10 to 15 generations in a year. Adult mites, young mites, and nymphs gather on the back of leaves to bite and cause damage. Eggs are mostly laid on the back of leaves. On either side of leaf veins or under a network of gathered filaments. Each female mite can lay 50 to 150 eggs, and the maximum number can reach 500. The time to complete one generation is only 23℃ to 25℃ at a temperature of
10 days to 13 days, at 28℃, it takes about 7 days to 8 days. It occurs rampantly during high-temperature and drought seasons, often causing a large number of dense white spots to appear on the front of the leaves, and the backs of the leaves turning yellow with occasional withered spots
Prevention and control methods: Once discovered, promptly spray with 25% Bereba wettable powder 2000 times to kill.
6． Scarabs
Mainly include green chafers, black velvet beetles, white star chafers, small blue and white chafers, etc. Adults often eat new leaves, young shoots and flower buds, seriously affecting the plants. growth and flowering. Prevention and control methods: Take advantage of the suspended animation of adults and kill them by vibrating them down in the evening. Use the phototaxis of adult insects to trap and kill them with black light lamps. When adult insects are feeding, spray them with 50% malathion EC 1000 times. In addition, there are also hazards such as lamp moths, noctuids, bridge bugs, bag moths, leafhoppers, stink bugs, etc. Corresponding prevention and control measures can be taken according to the hazard characteristics of different pest types.
6.15 Cutting and keeping fresh
A bunch of reds should be picked and cut when the temperature is low and the humidity is high. If a bunch of red flowers are picked and cut too early, the flowers will often not open normally after being picked and cut. Generally, it is harvested 1 to 2 days before flowering.
The time of picking and cutting is related to the variety. Usually, when there are 4 to 6 petals and the buds have loosened, they can be picked and cut. Sometimes it is found that after a bunch of red cut flowers have been picked and cut, the buds have not yet bloomed and have drooped prematurely. This situation is mainly caused by the buds
being picked too early and the calyx is still tightly wrapped around the buds. . It is best to cut the sepals when they are at 90° to the petals. When cutting, the branches should have 5 internodes or longer, but there should be at least two buds on the branches. One hour after cutting,
insert them into water to absorb water, then grade them according to length, tie them in bunches of 10 and wrap them in cellophane. A bunch of red cut flowers has a short shelf life and cannot withstand long-distance transportation. If the cut red bunches are not sold on the market, they should be stored in a low-temperature warehouse immediately.
The storage temperature is 1℃~2℃. It is best to insert them into water for wet storage. The quality of the water in wet storage is very important. Low pH is beneficial to a bunch of red cut flowers. Be careful not to insert the leaves into the water as well. The freshness enhancer in the flower container is a mixture of silver sulfate and aluminum sulfate. Usually a bunch of red bottles of preservative liquid are called Cornell formula liquid. To overcome the phenomenon of a string of red bent necks, cobalt acetate with a mass fraction of 360×10E-6 can be added to the preservative. Adding ethylamine-formyl ammonium phosphate can prevent red cut flowers from rotting and withering early.