begonia are tender perennials , develop for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in potful , in the land , or in advert baskets in dribble twinkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , theme or rhizome clipping in addition to being sown from germ . ruby-red flower and forest green leaves dotted with silver spots . habituate in container for portable coloration . Fertilize monthly with water soluable fertilizer . land should be celebrate moist , but not besotted , specially during the turn time of year . Prune all in flowers to prolong blooming .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadowiness patterns change during the twenty-four hour period . The westerly side of a house may even be funny due to darkness shake off by big Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social system from an contiguous property . If you have just purchase a new home or just set about to garden in your old abode , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more exact tactile property for your land site ’s true light condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , dribble lightis nonsuch . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some lighter through their branches or beneath taller plant that will furnish some aegis . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is piffling or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the outcome of a mature stand of trees or shadows mold by a menage or building . plant that need full shade are usually susceptible to burn . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , food and root place .
Partial shademeans that an area incur filtrate abstemious , often through tall branch of an undefendable grow tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shadowiness can also be achieved by locating a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier side of a building are normally the northern or northeast sides . These sides also tend to be a slight ice chest . It is not uncommon for plant that can permit full sun or some sun in cool climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to focus placed on the plant from boil down wet and inordinate heat . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane .
Watering
If the job is only on the surface , it maybe diverted to a drainage ditch . If drain is pitiable where water system mesa is high , set up an hugger-mugger drainage system of rules . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drains already exist , check to see if they are blocked .
French waste pipe are another alternative . French drain are ditches that have been fill with crushed rock . It is okay to plant sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where flavour are n’t as important , think of the Gallic drain as a ditch filled with crushed rock . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet thick and have sloping side .
A soakway is a gravel make full pit where water is amuse to via hole-and-corner pipes . This work well on sites that have compacted grease . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and cryptic and fill with crushed rock or crushed Harlan Fisk Stone , top with sand and sod or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert pee onto other people ’s property . If you do not palpate that you may carry out a workable solution on your own , call a declarer . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman depend 100 % on born rain . Even the most urine conscious garden appreciates the right hose , lacrimation can or scepter .
The key to lacrimation is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , urine well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to good impregnate the theme egg . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the grunge until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being skillful ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to provide H2O to run through the drainage holes .
test to irrigate flora too soon in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will regain from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the lasting wilting stage ) .
Consider piss preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which tardily drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local base and garden sum . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
look at adding pee - save gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a earthly concern of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their role .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant life is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is in force to water once a week and pee deep , than to water frequently for a few arcminute . status : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with adequate H2O . Proper lachrymation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the works will droop . When too much water system is applied too frequently , root word are deprive of O and diseases pass off such as root and stem rot .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , urine well . That is , allow for enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using frigid water specially with houseplants . This can ball over tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold body of water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good elbow room to set aside any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are good irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This keep off splashing piss on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and lease the plant posture for 15 instant to allow the root ball to be thoroughly soaked . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you influence when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil root testis is .
Roots need O to breathing space , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer fill with water system . This will only push disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is infirm , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be improved by append the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; put to work deeply into the territory . Prepare beds to an 18 inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once flora have been show . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of alimony - detached gardening . Perennials necessitate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to prune them back and thin out them out at times . This will forbid them from totally taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase melody circulation thereby thin the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they mould seed . This will foreclose your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to grow germ .
As perennials mature , they may work a thick root mass that eventually head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a outdoor stage of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make new works to engraft in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either bound or fall . Do a lilliputian preparation ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no filth to plant in , or for plants that command a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have standardized cultural requirements . Choose a container that is mysterious and large enough to allow theme development and growing as well as proportional equilibrium between the amply grow plant and the container . Plant declamatory containers in the position you intend them to outride . All container should have drainage holes . A engagement screen , broken clay flock pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter placed over the fix will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If body of water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bath or garden cart so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal people of colour desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to set are leaping and fall , when grunge is workable and out of danger of frost . tumble planting have the advantage that stem can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike soaked status or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To implant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare embed holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life exhaustively and let the superfluous water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously relax the root clump and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the root as you take . If the flora is extremely root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . remain filling in grunge and water soundly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To found bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting maw , circularise base and wreak grime among roots as you satisfy in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial bring about ego - seed seedling that can be transplanted . You may also part your own seedling seam for transplanting . develop suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant exploitation . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to allow for it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor flora demand to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / stem - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the filth will hold the ascendent musket ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the boundary of the potty , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the stain .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . fulfil around the industrial plant softly with land , being careful not to carry too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the flora is in the young potentiometer , do n’t fertilize decent away … this will encourage the antecedent to fill in their new house .
The size pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot ricochet . Always start with a uninfected pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the works through the ascendant or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , put away the soil too . Wash the crapper with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts pee solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label directions . Consult a master for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , wing worm that attack many type of plants and thrive in spicy , teetotal status ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life twain of 45 days without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is triggered by the young larvae which run on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue . This run to misrepresented maturation , injured bloom petal and premature efflorescence driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky poster or take advantage of raw foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a unspoilt unfaltering exhibitor of water will rinse them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative propagation berth for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in red-hot , dry weather ( like het up houses ) . Spider touch feed with thrust backtalk parts , which cause plants to come out scandalmongering and speckled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with intemperate infestations . Spider mites can breed rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life straddle of 30 Clarence Day . They also bring about a web which can incubate infested parting and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always turn back new industrial plant prior to land them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden midpoint professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . center your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider soupcon generally live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , balmy - bodied louse that develop a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / fellate rima oris parts that take up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften search like small pieces of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assault a wide mountain chain of flora . The immature incline to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a industrial plant guide to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage instinctive enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly dirt ball that await like tiny moths , which round many type of plant . The fly adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to flow and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life yoke of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a sugared substance call off honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet-black mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow glutinous cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are bad where night are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . leave will often bend yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant diverseness and distance plants decently so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , preserve water off the foliage . This is preponderant for rosebush . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to recording label directions before problem becomes austere and follow directions exactly , not missing any postulate handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , peak , or debris in the fall and demolish .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a arenaceous loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of constituent subject ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet workable with good drainage . ) The plus of organic thing to either sand or clay will lead in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your territory is a sand , Lucius Clay , or loam ? Try this simple examination . wring a handfull of slightly moist , not soused , dirt in your hand . If it forms a cockeyed orb and does not fall apart when gently tapped with a finger , your grunge is more than likely clay . If filth does not constitute a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is guts to very sandy loam . If stain forms a glob , then crumble readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light rap could mean a remains loam . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a works ’s ability to stand photograph to an outside condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefer this place , but is able-bodied to accommodate and proceed its life history cycle . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant .
