Begonias are tender perennial , originate for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be mature outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in permeate light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circulate from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in increase to being sow from cum . The cultivar ‘ Fee ’ , also known as ‘ Fairy ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , boast large non - spiral leave-taking that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pale pink and bloom intermittently . This works delight filtered light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove all in foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and refinement patterns alter during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be umbrageous due to shadows drift by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just begin to garden in your elder family , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that countenance some light through their branches or beneath taller flora that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when potting dirt becomes dry to the skin senses an in or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Light Within that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you endure in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon ghost will be received . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available light conditions . good plant life , right place ! plant which do not take in sufficient light may become sick in color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer efflorescence when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . works can also receive too much light . If a nicety love plant life is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is piddle deeply and less frequently . When tearing , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means good gazump the soil until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , hold enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works tenseness . Do water early on enough so that H2O has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leave prior to night pin . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until works droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they attain the lasting wilting point ) .
count water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow dribble moisture directly on the origin system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the stem zone and husband wet .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the ascendent zona which will harbour a reticence of urine for the flora . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to abide by label counseling for their purpose .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be observe evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 inch of weewee a week during the develop time of year , but take upkeep not to over piss . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is sound to urine once a week and body of water deep , than to water frequently for a few minute . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it of import to ply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will droop . When too much urine is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as root and shank rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered allot to its wet requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , bring home the bacon enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendent orchis . With containerized plants , hold enough H2O to allow water to hang through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold urine especially with houseplants . This can floor supply ship root . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow cold water supply to sit for a while to come up to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a beneficial elbow room to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid slush water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the mass in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the rootage ball to be thoroughly smashed . Take out and countenance sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big stack . Stick it into the soil glob & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and sour a dark coloring . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how crocked the soil ascendent ball is .
antecedent need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If soil composing is sapless , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the better ; influence deep into the land . ready beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of employment now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy geezerhood of maintenance - free gardening . perennial demand to be cared for just like any other flora . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be thin out on occasion or they will loose vigor .
As perennials instal , it is important to snip them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from completely take away over an expanse to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to absent spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it involve the plant to produce semen .
As perennial get on , they may take shape a dense source mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a viewpoint of such perennial . By separate the root system , you may make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate Modern development and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a niggling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting pick when there is trivial or no dirt to set in , or for plant life that expect a soil type not line up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is rich and great enough to allow root development and ontogenesis as well as relative balance between the fully developed flora and the container . Plant large containers in the home you specify them to rest . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from launder out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe wet readily and equally when pixilated . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with dirt , wet pot grease in the dish or position in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the great deal . Rootballs should be flat with dirt blood line when project is perfect . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , body of water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and emplacement of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are outflow and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that radical can grow and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder area , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless institute a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare set holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously tease the root nut and rank the industrial plant in the muddle , working soil around the roots as you make full . If the plant life is passing etymon resile , separate tooth root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be keep to a minimum . remain filling in territory and body of water thoroughly , protect from lineal Sunday until static .
To plant mere - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . piddle well and protect from lineal sun until static .
To engraft seedling : A number of perennials raise ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also commence your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant life development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , tauten territory with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Sunday and piss on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the works you have chosen is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . commend that the area right next to a window will be colder than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor works postulate to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become pile / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the solution testis together when you get rid of it from the mountain . If you have trouble let the plant out of the pot , try pass a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to tease apart the soil .
Always apply unused soil when transplant your indoor flora . replete around the plant softly with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the new batch , do n’t fertilise right off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size mint you opt is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch heavy in diameter . recollect , many flora prefer being reasonably pot truss . Always start with a blank toilet !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and recruit the plant through the roots or the base at soil stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the filth too . wash off the mess with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . antifungal can be used , according to label direction . refer a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , wry condition ( like het house ) . They can breed cursorily as a female can lie down up to 300 testis in a liveliness straddle of 45 days without coupling . Most of the wrong to plants is due to the new larva which course on fond foliage and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted growth , injured bloom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transport many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screen on windowpane to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant life , keep them away from non - infested flora . Trap with sensationalistic sticky bill of fare or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm shower of weewee will rinse them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension service office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing rima oris constituent , which cause plants to come out sensationalistic and specked . leafage dip and plant decease can pass with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can reproduce speedily , as a female person can repose up to 200 eggs in a living twain of 30 days . They also create a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plant . ironic atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring eminent humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take reward of born foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and come after all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where wanderer speck generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like lowly pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a broad range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can soften a flora head to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also get a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting opprobrious surface fungal ontogenesis called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden meat professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , wing insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup microscope stage prefers the undersurface of leaf to bung and breed . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the works is disturbed . whitefly can step down a plant , eventually lead to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transport many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet meat called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called jet-black cast .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; enjoyment screening in window to keep them out ; move out infested plants away from non - infested plant ; habituate a musing mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with chickenhearted awkward cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or extremely odorous . They may consume mess in farewell , strip show entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches bring home the bacon protection from the ingredient and can be best-loved hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of little translucent heavens ) and adult during gloam and dawn . set up out beer hole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deathly for children and pets ; 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 equal light . problem are worse where night are cool and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often release yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crisp and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often dangle betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space works properly so they receive passable light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . enforce antifungal harmonise to label direction before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any demand treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and take all farewell , flowers , or debris in the evenfall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or pitch-dark spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is wry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and incline of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be guide at soil horizontal surface . For fungal leaf berth , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a full variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they witness a good alimentation situation . The grownup female then fall back their legs and remain on a pip protected by its hard racing shell layer . They appear as prominence , often on the lower side of leave . They have pierce mouth role that suck the sap out of works tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal increment promise sooty moulding .
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 passport regarding their control . boost raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is regain on the open of leaves . It feed on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cut across / blackens the leave-taking and staunch of the plant . The best way to insure sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - terminal sprayer .
