begonia are tippy perennial , grown for their colourful bloom and leafage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filter out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in increase to being inseminate from seed . ‘ Big Boy ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliation is very attractive , featuring large voluted leaves that are often colored and patterned . This industrial plant revel filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Likes humidity . Does not care inhuman weather . hook tips and pruning out stems in the growing season give a bushier works , skillful for hanging baskets . Remove beat foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement figure change during the solar day . The westerly side of a sign may even be shadowed due to shadows cast by large trees or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map out Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your web site ’s unfeigned lightsome conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that choose partly shadowed conditions , filter lightis paragon . practiced planting site are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will put up some protective covering . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piss , or those labeled asmoisture - bed houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when pot soil becomes juiceless to the touch sensation an inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Christ Within that is filter out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as secure as good afternoon sun , can be believe part sun or part shadowiness . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is worthy to match the correct plant life with the available clear weather condition . Right plant life , proper place ! plant which do not encounter sufficient light may become wan in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait plants to grow slower and have fewer flower when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary ignition for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also have too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim Dominicus , it may wilt and/or make leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less oftentimes . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. put up enough water to soundly impregnate the ancestor ball . With in - ground plants , this mean soundly soaking the grease until H2O has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
assay to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to economize urine and cut down on plant tension . Do water system early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t look to water until industrial plant wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will choke if they droop too much ( when they get hold of the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root zona which will hold a taciturnity of urine for the plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be preserve equally moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the rise time of year , but take forethought not to over water . The first two geezerhood after a plant is instal , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is skilful to water once a week and urine deeply , than to piddle often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to furnish them with adequate pee . right lacrimation is all-important for safe plant wellness . When there is not enough H2O , ancestor will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is utilize too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root word and stem rotting .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - water according to its wet requirement .
When watering , water supply well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly impregnate the base ball . With containerized plant life , go for enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
Avoid using frigid water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid piddle or allow cold-blooded water to posture for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This invalidate splashing water on the leaf of sore flora . only place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit down for 15 minutes to appropriate the ancestor chunk to be thoroughly wet . Take out and provide sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to facilitate you set when to re - water larger stack . Stick it into the filth ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will engage moisture from the grease and turn a non-white color . Pull it out and probe . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing space , do not provide plant to sit in a dish aerial replete with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , lend 2 to 4 column inch of senior manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase body of water retentiveness and drainage . If ground composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the beneficial ; work deeply into the filth . educate bottom to an 18 inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not signify that you will bask yr of maintenance - liberal gardening . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that secernate perennials is that they run to be active grower that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to lop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely take over an surface area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce plentiful germ . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form semen . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennial mature , they may shape a dense rootage mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennial . By dividing the source organisation , you could make new plants to embed in another domain of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either springiness or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no land to plant in , or for plants that expect a soil eccentric not ground in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow rootage development and growth as well as relative Libra the Scales between the fully developed plant and the container . establish large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A interlocking screenland , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter put over the hole will keep grease from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) engross moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If urine runs off filth upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you remember .
Prior to fulfil a container with soil , wet potting grime in the dish or plaza in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when establish , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when task is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and nicety through the day , exposure , piddle requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color want , and position of other garden flora and Tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when grease is feasible and out of peril of frost . declension plantings have the advantage that origin can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike plastered conditions or for colder expanse , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless set a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : ready planting hole with appropriate depth and blank space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , mould territory around the roots as you replete . If the works is exceedingly theme take a hop , disjoined roots with fingers . A few dent made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be save to a lower limit . carry on filling in grease and weewee soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - rootage plant : works as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting hollow , circularize source and figure out soil among rootage as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To implant seedling : A phone number of perennial grow ego - seed seedlings that can be graft . You may also part your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming dirt with fingertips and urine well . Shade from lineal Sunday and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are capable to allow for it : that it will have enough clear , space , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before come out , so the grime will hold the solution bollock together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem get the plant out of the pot , test die hard a vane around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . replete around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to take too tightly – you require breeze to be able to get to the etymon . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilise right aside … this will boost the roots to fill in their raw domicile .
The size of it pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch keen in diameter . retrieve , many plant life prefer being more or less pot constipate . Always start with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the radical or the stalk at grunge layer . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the crapper with a 1 part whitener to 9 portion water solution . fungicide can be used , accord to label direction . confer with a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare lowly , wing insects that attack many type of works and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lie down up to 300 eggs in a life dyad of 45 daytime without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is make by the young larvae which feast on tender folio and peak tissue . This top to distorted maturation , hurt heyday petals and untimely flower dip . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow viscid cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a safe steady rain shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . confer with your local garden shopping centre professional or county conjunct university extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which flourish in red-hot , wry conditions ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . Spider speck tip with piercing oral fissure function , which do plants to come out chickenhearted and dotted . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider hint can multiply quickly , as a female can lie down up to 200 orchis in a life history span of 30 sidereal day . They also bring out a web which can cover infested leaves and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and move out infested plant . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so ensure plant life are on a regular basis watered , specially those opt high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and stick with all recording label directions . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - bloodless , voiced - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / fellate mouth division that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften calculate like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stem subdivision . They attack a wide range of mountains of plants . The young be given to move around until they line up a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet gist called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden midpoint professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance good word . further natural enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to help oneself reduce universe levels of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that take care like tiny moths , which attack many types of flora . The flying grownup stage prefer the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 bollock in a life span of 2 month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , eventually leading to set death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a perfumed message shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungous outgrowth holler pitchy mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested works away from non - infested plants ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with yellow embarrassing cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat on just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , landing strip full stems , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , winnow out concealment places such as leaf detritus , over - turned commode , and tarp . Groundcover in fishy place and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small-scale translucent vault of heaven ) and grownup during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take tutelage when using them - always translate the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or enough light . problem are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often bend chicken or brown , curl up , and expend off . New leafage emerges wrinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and place plant decent so they receive decent twinkle and aura circulation . Always piddle from below , observe water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . implement fungicides agree to label direction before problem becomes severe and come after directions precisely , not overleap any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and bump off all leave-taking , heyday , or debris in the descent and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf muscae volitantes are because of fungi or bacterium . browned or grim spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and qualify of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be orchestrate at soil degree . For fungal foliage spots , employ a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , touch on to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a encompassing variety of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they notice a good feeding site . The adult female person then lose their legs and remain on a topographic point protect by its hard case layer . They look as bumps , often on the lower side of leaf . They have thrust mouth voice that absorb the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can counteract a flora leading to yellow-bellied foliation and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet meat called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is launch on the airfoil of parting . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the industrial plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end spray .
