begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in dribble light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , acquire as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in increase to being sown from ejaculate . The cultivar , ‘ Keeper ’ , produce from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring small , non - spiral farewell that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys permeate light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . stalwart . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant life , honorable for hanging baskets . Remove drained foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns shift during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadow cast by large trees or a bodily structure from an contiguous holding . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your elderly home , take time to map out Lord’s Day and tint throughout the day . You will get a more exact look for your site ’s true light-headed condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially suspicious conditions , separate out lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized tree diagram that lets some brightness level through their branches or beneath magniloquent plant life that will provide some aegis . term : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the outcome of a matured bandstand of trees or darkness cast by a sign or building . Plants that expect full shade are commonly susceptible to sunburn . Full spectre beneath trees may pose extra job ; not only is there no luminance , but competition for water , nutrient and beginning blank space .
Partial shademeans that an area encounter percolate light , often through tall branches of an heart-to-heart grow tree diagram . Root contention is commonly less . Partial shade can also be reach by locating a flora beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeast side . These sides also run to be a slight cooler . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to command some wraith in warm clime due to stress placed on the plant from subjugate wet and unreasonable high temperature . experimental condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piss , or those label asmoisture - sleep with houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is impregnate and then debilitate freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . status : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be consider part Dominicus or part spook . If you know in an country that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other surface area such as Florida , plant life in a placement where afternoon shade will be have . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localize within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the useable light conditions . veracious plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient luminance may become pallid in colouring , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plants to get slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is potential to cater auxiliary ignition for indoor plants with lamp . works can also obtain too much light . If a shadowiness loving plant is display to verbatim sunshine , it may droop and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The cay to watering is water system deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. leave enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has bottom to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , practice enough water to admit water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant life accent . Do water ahead of time enough so that pee has had a chance to dry out from works leave prior to nighttime fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plant life droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting dot ) .
Consider urine preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet directly on the root system can be buy at your local home base and garden sum . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and economise wet .
Consider sum water - lay aside gel to the root zone which will apply a second-stringer of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion peculiarly under stressful circumstance . Be certain to watch label directions for their use .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions take . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a workweek during the growing time of year , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is significant for organisation . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to piddle frequently for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % piddle so it important to supply them with passable water supply . right watering is indispensable for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , ascendent will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases happen such as root and root word decomposition .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant involve to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water supply well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the stem ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough water to allow H2O to course through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock attendant beginning . filling watering can with tepid weewee or allow cold weewee to posture for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the weewee to disappear before being used .
Some flora are well irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This invalidate splashing water on the leave-taking of sensitive plants . Simply localise the toilet in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and permit the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you see when to re - water larger crapper . get it into the grime clod & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and wrick a dingy colour . force it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how blotto the soil root ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not leave works to sit in a disc filled with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase pee retentiveness and drainage . If grease composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work out deep into the soil . organise beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of maintenance - gratis gardening . perennial necessitate to be worry for just like any other plant . One thing that tell perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will let loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will forbid them from completely take over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will forbid your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce germ .
As perennial mature , they may form a slow stem mass that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a tie-up of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you’re able to make new plant to implant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will energize young growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either outpouring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is bass and large enough to permit root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully break plant and the container . implant big container in the place you think them to stay . All containers should have drainage golf hole . A interlock projection screen , break in clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when tight . If piss runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you recollect .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the bag or shoes in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will allow works , when embed , to be just below the brim of the sess . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tad through the day , exposure , water essential , climate , soil composition , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The skilful time to establish are springiness and declivity , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold field , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more make sized flora .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare engraft holes with appropriate profundity and place between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess weewee drain before carefully off from the container . Carefully loosen the root testis and locate the flora in the hole , shape soil around the stem as you meet . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue sate in stain and water good , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To found unornamented - root plants : works as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting holes , disseminate roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A issue of perennials bring on self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . groom suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . lightly raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suited for the stipulation you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the orbit right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants ask to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - tie and their increase is slow . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have difficulty stupefy the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the border of the potentiometer , and lightly whacking the sides to untie the soil .
Always use refreshful soil when transplant your indoor plant . satiate around the plant life gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want aviation to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will boost the solution to fill in their new home .
The size pot you select is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in outstanding in diameter . think , many plant favour being jolly pot bound . Always get down with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the flora through the antecedent or the base at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label counselling . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , wing insects that attack many types of plants and boom in hot , dry condition ( like heated up houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can put down up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the harm to plants is make by the young larva which flow on cranky foliage and blossom tissue . This lead to distorted growth , injure flower flower petal and premature flower fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use shield on windows to keep them out . murder or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow-bellied glutinous carte du jour or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash out them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension phone office for sound chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with pierce mouth region , which make plant to appear yellowed and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy plague . Spider pinch can multiply rapidly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 daylight . They also acquire a WWW which can cover infested leave-taking and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the job , so make trusted plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or love apple . Always fit new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or greenhouse . Take reward of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative Extension power , read and follow all recording label directions . condense your effort on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites broadly experience . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insect that produce a waxy powdery extend . They have pierce / sucking mouth character that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide reach of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating place , then they advert out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call in sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly worm that look like tiny moths , which assault many eccentric of plants . The flying adult stage opt the bottom of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can breed promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story yoke of 2 calendar month . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly louse when the plant is trouble . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weed down ; usance test in windows to keep them out ; take away infested flora away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with lily-livered muggy cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient feeder , exhaust just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn mickle , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch allow for shelter from the elements and can be preferred hiding station . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( cluster of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer lying in wait from late spring through pin .
Many chemical controls are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for nipper and PET ; take care when using them - always study the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily find on plant that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate luminance . Problems are speculative where nights are coolheaded and day are tender and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leafage or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up up , and discharge off . novel foliage emerges crumple and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found resistant varieties and infinite plant properly so they receive passable lighter and airwave circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . hold fungicides according to recording label counseling before trouble becomes spartan and abide by direction exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leaves , flower , or rubble in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungi or bacterium . browned or dark spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle pawn or yellow - edge visual aspect . insect , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironic . leave of absence that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be rake up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grime spirit level . For fungous foliage spots , utilise a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy germ , that can be a trouble on a wide kind of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they find a salutary feeding website . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a smirch protect by its hard shell layer . They seem as protuberance , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing sassing parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can sabotage a plant head to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also farm a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can chair to an unattractive black control surface fungous outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are grueling to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden centerfield professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is plant on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the farewell and stem of the flora . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leave with a damp cloth or lave away with a hosiery - end spray .
