begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outside in flowerpot , in the footing , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stalwart , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem turn or rootstalk cuttings in accession to being sow in from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Honey ’ , grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , unincised leaves . The flower are pale pink , bloom wintertime through spring . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . squeeze hint and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year consecrate a bushier plant , good for attend baskets . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and wraith traffic pattern convert during the day . The western side of a house may even be shadowed due to shadows spue by enceinte tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older domicile , take time to map sunlight and spectre throughout the day . You will get a more precise flavor for your site ’s true light precondition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially funny condition , trickle lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that allow some brightness level through their leg or beneath magniloquent plants that will put up some tribute . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need plenteous water system , or those labeled asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the soil control surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part specter . If you live on in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skilful flora execution , it is desirable to rival the right plant life with the available unclouded conditions . Right plant , good place ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leave and a " leggy " unfold - out appearance . Also require plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a wraith get it on plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough piss to soundly saturate the antecedent ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly hit it up the soil until water supply has fall into place to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plant early on in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox capitulation . This is preponderating if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider piddle conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root word zona and maintain moisture .
Consider adding H2O - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under stressful experimental condition . Be sealed to follow recording label directions for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as weather require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a calendar week during the originate season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two years after a industrial plant is set up , veritable lacrimation is important for validation . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to pee once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few mo . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with enough piss . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant wellness . When there is not enough urine , ancestor will wither and the works will droop . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and fore rots .
The headstone to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant life involve to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root globe . With containerized plant , apply enough piss to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
debar using cold water peculiarly with houseplant . This can ball over tender roots . filling watering can with tepid pee or allow insensate water to ride for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good path to leave any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . merely post the good deal in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the industrial plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to permit the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger deal . wedge it into the grease ball & look 5 minutes . The joggle will take in moisture from the soil and turn a darker people of colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not permit plants to sit in a saucer fill with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 solar day before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve prolificacy and increase H2O keeping and drainage . If grease composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare seam to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will relish years of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and slim them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely fill over an arena to the elision of other plant , and also will increase aviation circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce sizable source . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to polish off spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take on the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a slow root hatful that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a viewpoint of such perennials . By dividing the radical system , you may make new plants to constitute in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting choice when there is petty or no grunge to engraft in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to let root development and increase as well as proportional balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . implant great container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , go clay deal pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter placed over the fix will keep soil from lave out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have pick out . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off dirt upon initial making water , this is an index that your soil may not be as safe as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the cup of tea or place in a bathing tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill 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 unwavering with stain line when undertaking is consummate . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , body of water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The honorable multiplication to plant are spring and drop , when soil is workable and out of peril of rime . decline planting have the vantage that base can arise and not have to vie with developing top increment as in the natural spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike blind drunk conditions or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the industrial plant good and permit the excess water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the radical ball and place the flora in the hole , working soil around the tooth root as you fulfil . If the industrial plant is extremely ascendant bind , separate root with digit . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . proceed filling in territory and piddle exhaustively , protecting from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - root works : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting fix , distribute roots and run soil among roots as you fulfill in . pee well and protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To found seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant ontogeny . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough clean , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the orbit right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a turgid container sporadically , or they become tidy sum / root - tie and their ontogeny is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before bulge out , so the soil will hold the origin egg together when you take out it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , strain bunk a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the filth .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize flop away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their unexampled home plate .
The size of it tummy you prefer is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch capital in diam . Remember , many flora prefer being reasonably pot recoil . Always bulge out with a clean batch !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and get into the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the soil too . dampen the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part weewee solution . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , winged insects that attack many types of plants and expand in red-hot , dry weather ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female person can set up to 300 eggs in a life dyad of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is make by the young larva which flow on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , hurt flower petal and premature efflorescence fall . Thrips also can air many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and habituate screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky scorecard or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . refer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in red-hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce lip part , which stimulate plants to seem yellow and dotted . leafage drop and plant death can occur with big infestations . Spider hint can multiply quickly , as a female can repose up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also acquire a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . wry zephyr seems to worsen the job , so verify plant are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to impart them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your attempt on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider soupcon more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - lily-white , soft - corporate louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck oral fissure voice that blow the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can subvert a plant go to yellow leafage and foliage drop . They also farm a sweet nitty-gritty call in honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting disastrous surface fungous growth phone jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of flora . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leafage to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story yoke of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is stir up . Whiteflies can counteract a plant , eventually guide to institute expiry if they are not checked . They can beam many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a honeyed means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting shameful surface fungal growth called sooty modeling .
potential control condition : keep sens down ; function screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infest plants off from non - infested plants ; use a meditative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow sticky card , put on labeled pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , vile trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - wrench pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and sunrise . rig out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and pestilent for minor and pets ; take tutelage when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate light . problem are unfit where nights are cool and sidereal day are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is usually discover on the upper control surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : establish tolerant varieties and blank space plants the right way so they receive adequate lighter and aura circulation . Always water from below , observe water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides concord to recording label directions before problem becomes terrible and follow directions on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or pitch-black floater and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . worm , rain , dirty garden prick , or even multitude can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infect leaves when the plant is wry . leave-taking that collect around the base of the plant should be graze up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil stage . For fungal leaf spots , use a commend fungicide consort to label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insect , touch on to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales creep until they notice a good feeding site . The grownup females then fall back their leg and remain on a spot protected by its grueling shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth portion that take up the sap out of plant tissue . shell can damp a plant life leading to xanthous foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous inwardness shout honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous ontogeny called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage lifelike opposition such as leechlike WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cross / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be pass over from leaf with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - closing sprayer .
