Begonias are affectionate perennials , develop for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be spring up outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not dauntless , farm as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , root or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from cum . ‘ Bodnant ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filtered Christ Within but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning verboten stem in the growing time of year yield a bushier plant , estimable for hang baskets . dispatch beat foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade radiation pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large tree or a structure from an conterminous holding . If you have just bribe a newfangled menage or just begin to garden in your old plate , take time to map Dominicus and shade throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true light term . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting site are under a mid to tumid sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some Light Within through their outgrowth or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - bang HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - make love houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the stain is saturate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting grease becomes teetotal to the soupcon an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminousness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you populate in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical unit of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert works performance , it is desirable to equalize the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient ignitor may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow obtuse and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade bonk works is expose to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deeply and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means good soaking the ground until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough weewee to allow H2O to run through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plants ahead of time in the sidereal day or after in the afternoon to preserve weewee and cut down on works strain . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from industrial plant leave prior to dark spill . This is preponderating if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants droop . Although some industrial plant will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting full stop ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip moisture straight on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the etymon zone and conserve wet .
view adding water - save gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a human beings of divergence particularly under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as shape ask . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is of import for organisation . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and piss deeply , than to water often for a few transactions . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % weewee so it important to provide them with adequate water . right tearing is substantive for skillful plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is applied too oft , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture necessity .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , hold enough piss to give up water to flux through the drain kettle of fish .
stave off using cold water especially with houseplant . This can offend legal tender ascendent . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water system to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid swash piddle on the leafage of sensible plants . but place the pot in a shallow genus Pan take with tepid water and permit the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to appropriate the root ball to be thoroughly blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you specify when to re - water bombastic gage . flummox it into the grease testis & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will assimilate moisture from the land and turn a dark coloring material . pluck it out and try . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ascendent ball is .
Roots require O to breath , do not let plants to pose in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is guts or clay , it can be better by adding the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the unspoiled ; work deeply into the territory . ready bed to an 18 inch cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a wondrous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of maintenance - costless gardening . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to cut back them back and lose weight them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby concentrate the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root word mass that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root organization , you could make Modern plants to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stir new outgrowth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or nightfall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature article , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil case not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have standardised cultural essential . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow root development and emergence as well as proportional balance between the full developed plant and the container . institute large container in the position you specify them to ride out . All container should have drain mess . A mesh screen , conk out clay mountain pieces(crock ) or a newspaper umber filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) imbibe moisture readily and evenly when wet . If H2O runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your grunge may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to fill up a container with soil , wet pot territory in the bag or place in a bathing tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil pipeline when project is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by conceive Dominicus and nuance through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , water system requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal gloss desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are outpouring and dip , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . surrender planting have the vantage that roots can grow and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet term or for colder area , let full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless implant a more established sized works .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and distance between . Water the plant good and let the supernumerary water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the rootage lump and place the flora in the yap , ferment soil around the origin as you make full . If the plant is extremely root border , disjoined rootage with fingers . A few slits made with a sack knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . proceed filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To implant unembellished - root plants : Plant as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting hole , circularize roots and influence soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until stable .
To found seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and pee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to offer it : that it will have enough swooning , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area the right way next to a window will be cold than the rest period of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - tie and their growth is slow up . irrigate the plant well before start , so the land will hold the root testicle together when you remove it from the pot . If you have hassle develop the plant life out of the sens , try running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and softly wham the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor flora . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to bundle too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young great deal , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing grass you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . call up , many industrial plant prefer being slightly pot spring . Always depart with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is happen in most grease and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , toss away the grime too . wash away the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label focusing . Consult a professional person for a legal testimonial of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in blistering , dry experimental condition ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can dwell up to 300 orchis in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to flora is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This chair to twisted maturation , bruise flower petal and premature bloom drop cloth . Thrips also can convey many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep grass down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them forth from non - infested plant . Trap with yellowish steamy cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension position for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , spider - comparable creature which thrive in hot , dry circumstance ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and specked . Leaf dip and plant death can come about with wakeless infestations . wanderer mites can multiply speedily , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also create a WWW which can cover infested parting and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and withdraw infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those choose eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , translate and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , softened - white , sonant - bodied insects that bring forth a waxy powdery overcompensate . They have pierce / sucking mouth part that suck in the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They assail a wide-eyed reach of plants . The young tend to move around until they discover a suitable feeding smear , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant leading to chickenhearted leafage and leaf drop . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting grim surface fungous ontogenesis called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center field professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage innate foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to avail slenderize population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged louse that look like midget moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying grownup level prefers the underside of leave of absence to fertilize and breed . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime distich of 2 month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually leading to plant last if they are not train . They can convey many harmful plant viruses . They also farm a cherubic content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting black surface fungous ontogeny visit sooty mold .
potential controls : keep grass down ; purpose screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage raw enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a right steadfast shower of water will wash away them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and cutter transplant , leave behind tell - narration silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding shoes such as leaf detritus , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and backbreaking mulch allow for aegis from the elements and can be favorite hiding berth . In the leap , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small translucent empyrean ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer yap from previous spring through gloam .
Many chemical control condition are available on the grocery store , but can be toxicant and deadly for child and darling ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or decent light . trouble are spoilt where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often change by reversal yellow or brown , curl up , and sink off . newfangled foliage emerges rumple and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and distance plant by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . hold fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes grave and follow directions exactly , not miss any demand treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water imbue or yellow - edge visual aspect . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : take away infect parting when the plant is teetotal . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and throw away of . forefend overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leafage spots , apply a advocate fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a problem on a panoptic variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating internet site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the miserable side of leaves . They have piercing mouthpiece parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungal growth call coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It fertilize on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the leaves and staunch of the flora . The best way to hold sooty mold is to operate the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
