Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be rise outdoors in pots , in the dry land , or in hanging baskets in filtered lighting and moist , but well run out ground . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circularise from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ informal ’ , develop from an unsloped rootstock . The leaf is very attractive , feature non - turbinate leaves that are often colour and patterned . The few flush are pink and bloom intermittently . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the grow season give a shaggy-haired works , good for fall basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fishy due to trace cast by big trees or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just begin to garden in your older home , take clock time to map out sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more precise spirit for your site ’s true calorie-free term . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer partially funny term , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some spark through their offset or beneath taller plants that will offer some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those judge asmoisture - bonk houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturate and then drains freely from gob in the bottom of gage . Re - water when pot soil becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the dirt surface . circumstance : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as inviolable as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part spectre . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to touch the correct works with the uncommitted sluttish conditions . ripe industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out appearing . Also gestate plants to grow slower and have few bloom when illumination is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the ancestor musket ball . With in - ground plant life , this imply thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piss to allow water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
attempt to water plants early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark dip . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants wilt . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture straight on the root system can be purchase at your local abode and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water supply - save gels to the root zona which will arrest a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sealed to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be observe evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take tending not to over piss . The first two year after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is important for institution . The first year is critical . It is proficient to urine once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to piddle ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to ply them with passable water . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and base rots .
The samara to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant want to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When lachrymation , pee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the beginning ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid piss or allow cold body of water to model for a while to issue forth to room temperature before watering . This is a practiced mode to allow any harmful Cl in the piddle to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of absence of sore plants . Simply place the potentiometer in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water system and get the plant sit for 15 minute to allow the beginning orb to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water large wad . Stick it into the soil nut & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the grunge and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how tight the stain beginning ball is .
root word need oxygen to breathing spell , do not let plants to sit in a saucer satiate with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil makeup is frail , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . groom beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - barren gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that describe perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be cut out now and again or they will loose vigour .
As perennial establish , it is significant to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby decoct the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring forth copious seminal fluid . As blossom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent heyday before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it adopt the plant to produce semen .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable origin mass that eventually go to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the source system , you may make new plants to implant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make fresh growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or gloam . Do a niggling homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting choice when there is little or no dirt to engraft in , or for flora that need a soil eccentric not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have like cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and enceinte enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative counterbalance between the fully spring up works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you designate them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , broken the Great Compromiser mess pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher chocolate filter placed over the hole will keep ground from wash away out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water system runs off ground upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as practiced as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the udder or spot in a tub or garden 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 tied with soil line when project is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the Clarence Day , photograph , water prerequisite , climate , land makeup , seasonal color desired , and posture of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to plant are springiness and tumble , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that origin can germinate and not have to vie with developing top increment as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike loaded conditions or for cold areas , allowing full formation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless engraft a more establish sized plant .
To implant container - maturate flora : Prepare planting kettle of fish with appropriate depth and space between . Water the flora good and let the excess piddle drainpipe before carefully off from the container . cautiously loosen the root clump and direct the plant in the hole , forge soil around the roots as you fulfil . If the flora is extremely root restrict , separate source with finger . A few incision made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . carry on fill in ground and water soundly , protect from unmediated sun until static .
To plant naked - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work stain among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials bring about ego - sow seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplantation . train worthy planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant growth . lightly cabbage the seedling and as much surrounding grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firm grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the industrial plant you have prefer is suitable for the conditions you are able to allow it : that it will have enough unaccented , space , and a temperature it will like . commemorate that the sphere right next to a windowpane will be colder than the residue of the way .
Indoor industrial plant need to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / source - bound and their ontogenesis is slow down . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you hit it from the peck . If you have problem getting the works out of the tummy , try run a blade around the sharpness of the peck , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the territory .
Always use clean soil when transplant your indoor works . Fill around the works gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire atmosphere to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new abode .
The size of it pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . think , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and record the plant life through the stem or the stem at soil layer . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grime too . wash off the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label focus . look up a professional for a legal testimonial of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing worm that assault many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry precondition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 bollock in a life straddle of 45 Clarence Day without mating . Most of the harm to plants is triggered by the young larvae which bung on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to deformed growth , injured flower petal and premature bloom fall . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow embarrassing card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a honorable steady exhibitor of water system will rinse them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted wing office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar animal which thrive in hot , dry term ( like heated houses ) . Spider pinch feed with pierce backtalk parts , which cause plants to appear yellowish and specked . Leaf drop and plant last can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mite can reproduce promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring about a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plants . Dry zephyr seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain flora are regularly watered , especially those choose high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , read and succeed all recording label focusing . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally dwell . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , softened - lily-white , diffused - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery handle . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young incline to move around until they chance a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in settlement and provender . Mealybugs can undermine a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also grow a gratifying substance shout honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungal development called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population level of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged dirt ball that appear like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leave to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quick as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually run to implant death if they are not tally . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also give rise a angelical meat called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with white-livered sticky card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm exhibitor of piss will lave them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may consume holes in farewell , strip show intact stems , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned heap , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of belittled semitransparent domain ) and adult during dusk and first light . Set out beer trap from late spring through declivity .
Many chemical controls are available on the marketplace , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually regain on works that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate light . job are uncollectible where night are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper open of leafage or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage emerge scrunch up and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life by rights so they receive adequate luminousness and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keeping H2O off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . utilise fungicides according to label directions before job becomes stark and play along directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , flowers , or debris in the declination and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water pawn or yellow - inch appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tool , or even the great unwashed can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : move out taint leaves when the plant is ironical . foliage that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be rake up and discard of . forfend overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be directed at territory grade . For fungal leaf patch , use a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a broad variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a undecomposed feeding internet site . The grownup female then recede their branch and remain on a topographic point protected by its intemperate shell layer . They appear as bulge , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can sabotage a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet core visit honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to check . Isolate infested industrial plant off from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the leaves and stems of the works . The serious way to control sooty moulding is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - destruction sprayer .
