Orobanche crenata — a medium houseplant, prefers full sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Orobanche crenata

Orobanche Crenata

Updated · 429 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Orobanche crenata is a species of broomrape, commonly known as bean broomrape. It is a common parasite of the faba bean, Vicia faba. It is native to the Mediterranean basin in Europe and North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Western Asia through to Iran. It has been introduced elsewhere, including Ethiopia. It has no chlorophyll, and gets its carbohydrates from the host's phloem, and water and minerals from the host's xylem. It is a constant threat to legume production.

A note from PlantMom

Bean broomrape is largely resistant to disease and is usually not prone to illnesses. Still, it can be affected by pests and diseases present in its environment. Such infections tend to be mild. For care, the plant needs moderate maintenance. It should be pruned regularly to keep a neat appearance and encourage healthy growth. Fertilizing can also aid in promoting blooms. Bean broomrape is suitable for anyone with outdoor space, like a garden or patio, and doesn’t require much gardening experience. It may need extra care when grown indoors.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Orobanche Crenata.

Light

Bean broomrape is found in bright, open habitats where it flourishes in full sun. It tolerates partial sun but favors direct sunlight for the best growth. This plant, which can be annual or biennial, is noted for its sun-loving character.

Water

Bean broomrape thrives in areas with moderate rainfall, as it prefers a balanced level of moisture. To ensure consistent hydration, especially during its active growth period, it is important to water it weekly. This regular watering helps promote the plant's overall health and vitality.

Temperature

Bean broomrape can adapt to a wide range of temperatures, yet its distribution may still be constrained by different combinations of moisture and heat. It performs best in warm summer climates with sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather or prolonged high temperatures can raise the likelihood of Bean broomrape dying. In winter, appropriate protection from cold can improve the plant's survival rate.

Fertilizer

Bean broomrape responds well to regular, dilute applications of fertilizer to encourage healthy leaf growth. Fertilize Bean broomrape about once a month during the summer. Nitrogen is essential for foliage, and providing nitrogen-rich sources helps Bean broomrape thrive.

Pruning

Bean broomrape is a parasitic plant that affects legumes, and it requires minimal pruning to manage its impact. The best time to prune is from early to late spring. Pruning the inflorescences helps control the spread of the parasite and supports the health of the host plant. Regularly removing shoots prevents infestation, enhancing the vigor of neighboring plants and mitigating the negative effects of bean broomrape.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Annual
Genus
Orobanche
Family
Orobanchaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
1.22 m
Mature Spread
10 cm to 30 cm
Leaf Color
Tan, Brown
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
White, Lavender
Flower Size
2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Summer
Native Area
Libya, Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, Montenegro, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Armenia, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Morocco, Lebanon, Russia, Iraq, Portugal, Syria, Italy, Spain, Iran, Albania, Azerbaijan, Algeria, France
ALSO KNOWN AS

Other names.

en Bean broomrape en Carnation-scent broomrape en Scalloped broomrape en Crenate broomrape en Carnation-scented Broomrape
FREQUENTLY ASKED

Reader questions.

How should I water my Bean broomrape plant?

To water Bean broomrape, there are a few different tools you can use. A garden hose with a spray nozzle, a watering can, or any common watering tool will work. Bean broomrape is not too particular about the type of water it receives; it can survive on rainwater, tap water, or filtered water. It's best to avoid watering this plant from above, as it can harm the leaves and flowers and may cause disease. Setting up a drip irrigation system is often the most effective way to water Bean broomrape. These systems distribute water evenly and directly to the soil. If you have a container-grown Bean broomrape, you can use a cup, watering can, or tap to water it directly into the soil.

What are the sunlight requirements for Bean Broomrape?

Bean broomrape thrives in environments with full sun, requiring above 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth. It can also tolerate partial sun, needing about 3-6 hours of sunlight. It's essential to monitor the sunlight patterns in your garden to find spots that offer the right balance of light and shade for your plants. Bean broomrape, being sun-loving, originates from bright, open environments and prefers direct sunlight.

What should I do if I give my Bean broomrape too much or too little water?

The solution to underwatering Bean broomrape is simple: water it more regularly when you notice it lacks moisture. Overwatering, on the other hand, can lead to severe issues if not detected early. It can cause diseases in your Bean broomrape, leading to its decline and death. To prevent this, choose a suitable location with plenty of sunlight to dry the soil and good drainage to prevent water from pooling and saturating the soil. If you overwater a potted Bean broomrape, consider transferring it to a new pot with better drainage. Use loose soil and an efficiently draining pot during the repotting process.

How can artificial lighting be used for indoor plants?

When natural sunlight is not sufficient, particularly in winter or less sunny spaces, artificial lighting is crucial for indoor plants. LED lights are recommended due to their ability to provide specific wavelengths needed by plants. For full sun plants, 30-50W/sq ft of artificial light is needed, partial sun plants require 20-30W/sq ft, and full shade plants need 10-20W/sq ft. The light source should be placed 12-36 inches above the plant and kept on for 8-12 hours per day to mimic natural daylight hours.

How frequently should I give water to my Bean broomrape?

Bean broomrape requires regular watering throughout the growing season. In spring, water the plant once a week. As the season progresses and the weather gets warmer, you may need to increase watering to two or three times per week. However, exceeding this rate can harm the plant. It's important to keep the soil relatively moist but not wet, regardless of how often you water. When it comes to watering a potted Bean broomrape, you'll generally need to water more frequently because the soil in a pot heats up and dries out faster than ground soil. Typically, watering a potted Bean broomrape a few times per week is necessary, compared to just once per week for an in-ground plant.

What are some symptoms of inadequate light for Bean Broomrape?

When grown indoors under insufficient light, Bean broomrape may show several symptoms, including smaller new leaves, leggy or sparse growth, faster leaf drop, and slower or no new growth. Insufficient sunlight can also lead to lighter-colored new leaves, chlorosis (leaf yellowing due to a lack of chlorophyll), sunscald (damage from intense sunlight), leaf curling, wilting, and leaf scorching. These symptoms indicate the plant's struggle with light deficiency or overexposure.

How much water does my Bean broomrape require?

There are a few ways to determine how much water to give your Bean broomrape. Some gardeners feel the soil to judge its moisture level. They recommend watering until the top six inches of soil are moist. Another option is to use a specific measurement. Typically, around two gallons of water per week is sufficient for Bean broomrape, depending on the temperature and how quickly the soil dries. However, following strict guidelines might lead to overwatering if your plant needs less water. When growing Bean broomrape in a container, the approach is different. You should water enough to moisten all layers of dry soil. To check this, stick your finger in the soil or look for excess water draining from the pot's holes.

What solutions are recommended for Bean Broomrape experiencing light deficiency?

To address light deficiency in Bean broomrape, gradually moving the plant to a sunnier location each week until it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight is beneficial. For indoor plants, using a south-facing window or artificial light for at least 8 hours a day can help. Outdoors, moving plants to optimal sunlight spots gradually is key to avoiding sunburn. If sunlight is blocked by obstructions, consider pruning or transplanting smaller plants during their dormant period to areas with better sun exposure and drainage.

How can I know if I'm giving enough water to my Bean broomrape?

Avoiding overwatering your Bean broomrape can be somewhat challenging due to conflicting factors. On one hand, these plants have deep roots that need to be watered weekly to keep the soil moist. However, Bean broomrape is highly susceptible to root rot and excessive watering can lead to browning. Underwatering is less of a concern as these plants can survive without additional watering for some time. Nonetheless, if you ignore watering for too long, the plant may wilt and develop dry leaves.

How should I water my Bean broomrape throughout the year?

As the seasons change, the water needs of your Bean broomrape will increase. In spring, watering once per week is sufficient. However, as the summer heat arrives, you may need to increase the frequency to about three times per week, especially if your Bean broomrape is in a container. Containers tend to dry out faster than ground soil in warm weather. In autumn, when the temperature cools down and the sun is not as strong as in summer, your Bean broomrape may require less water while still in bloom.

How should I water my Bean broomrape as it grows?

Bean broomrape goes through different growth stages throughout the year, each with varying water requirements. Initially, when starting as a seed, it is important to provide more water than the plant will need later on. This means watering often to keep the soil moisture consistent. After a few weeks, when the plant emerges from the soil, it will require slightly less water compared to the seedling phase. Once the plant reaches maturity, the regular watering frequency can be reduced to once per week. During flower development, it might be necessary to provide slightly more water to support the process.

How is watering Bean broomrape different indoors and outdoors?

Most Bean broomrape plants prefer to be grown outdoors rather than indoors. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, these plants tend to grow quite tall, which is easier to accommodate in an outdoor environment. Secondly, Bean broomrape requires more daily sunlight than most indoor spaces can provide. However, if you are able to create a suitable indoor growing environment, it is important to note that your Bean broomrape will likely require more frequent watering compared to an outdoor setting. This is due to indoor locations being generally drier, often due to HVAC units, as well as the fact that soil in containers can dry out more quickly compared to soil in the ground.

PLATES
Orobanche crenata leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Orobanche crenata leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Orobanche crenata flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Orobanche crenata flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Orobanche crenata bark
PLATE 05 · bark
Orobanche crenata bark
PLATE 06 · bark
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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