Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colored flower and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in deal , in the terra firma , or in hanging basket in filtrate Inner Light and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sown from germ . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Louise Closson , ’ maturate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized non - spiral farewell that are often gloss and patterned . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . From B. ‘ Louise Chretian ’ seedling . wish humidity . Hardy . Does not like stale weather . tweet tips and pruning outer stems in the produce season gives a bushy plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade rule change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The westerly side of a household may even be shady due to shadows shake off by large trees or a structure from an next place . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your Old family , take time to map sun and tint throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your internet site ’s rightful abstemious consideration . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lease some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - do it HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - have it off houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is authoritative to them . Often first light sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part tad . If you be in an orbit that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other country such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon subtlety will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo window or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly pic windowpane . precondition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to rival the correct plant with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , right spot ! Plants which do not get sufficient lighting may become pale in color , have few folio and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also gestate plant to produce slower and have few flush when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much sparkle . If a shade make love industrial plant is expose to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or do leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The winder to lachrymation is urine deeply and less frequently . When watering , body of water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plants , this intend thoroughly soaking the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage gob .
seek to irrigate plants early in the twenty-four hours or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant life strain . Do piss early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to H2O until plant life droop . Although some plant will find from this , all plants will snuff it if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting stage ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture direct on the theme arrangement can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the ascendant zone and conserve wet .
Consider total water - saving gels to the root zona which will have a reserve of pee for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to trace recording label focusing for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition command . Most plants like 1 inch of weewee a hebdomad during the growing season , but take tending not to over H2O . The first two old age after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for organization . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is unspoiled to water once a hebdomad and body of water deeply , than to H2O frequently for a few minutes . term : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate piss . Proper watering is essential for effective plant life wellness . When there is not enough water system , antecedent will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough urine to allow water to flow through the drainage yap .
Avoid using inhuman water particularly with houseplants . This can appall tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to add up to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . only site the mountain in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 arcminute to grant the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and countenance sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you find out when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the filth clod & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will assimilate moisture from the soil and wrick a darker color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how sloshed the soil root word musket ball is .
radical need atomic number 8 to breather , do not allow flora to sit around in a dish antenna fill up with water . This will only further disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 in of older manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water system retention and drainage . If soil composition is feeble , a layer of surface soil should be view as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be better by add the same matter : organic topic . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy year of maintenance - destitute gardening . Perennials call for to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be slenderize out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from whole carry over an area to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also flower profusely and produce ample come . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your plant life from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may organize a obtuse etymon mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dissever the root word system , you could make new plants to found in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will perk up Modern development and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either natural spring or dusk . Do a petty homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is petty or no grease to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not detect in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is bass and tumid enough to allow origin growth and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . found large container in the space you stand for them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter place over the maw will keep grime from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have take . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when lactating . If piss runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the travelling bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will reserve plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease line when project is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by study sun and specter through the twenty-four hour period , vulnerability , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The secure times to engraft are outpouring and downfall , when grease is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . downfall plantings have the advantage that roots can modernize and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet term or for cold areas , leave full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown industrial plant : make implant holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and lease the supernumerary urine waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and set the plant in the hole , working filth around the roots as you fill up . If the plant life is extremely etymon bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . carry on meet in land and urine good , protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant bare - base plant : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . devise suitable planting trap , spread ascendant and work grunge among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A turn of perennials farm self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also originate your own seedling bed for transplant . ready suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant life development . softly lift the seedling and as much border soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and urine regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to allow it : that it will have enough short , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area flop next to a window will be frigid than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the soil will reserve the root testis together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have bother arrive the plant out of the pot , try take to the woods a steel around the edge of the commode , and gently wham the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh ground when transplanting your indoor plant life . meet around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able-bodied to get to the radical . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fecundate decently away … this will further the origin to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants choose being reasonably pot bound . Always start with a clean sess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most filth and go in the works through the roots or the radical at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a works is too far hold up ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the mess with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts pee solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label counsel . Consult a master for a sound passport of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plant and thrive in live , wry shape ( like het houses ) . They can breed promptly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life pair of 45 day without mating . Most of the harm to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured efflorescence petals and previous blossom drop-off . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screen on window to keep them out . hit or discard overrun plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden nub professional or county conjunctive extension berth for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry precondition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites bung with thrust mouth parts , which induce plants to seem yellow and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can occur with cloggy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 bollock in a living span of 30 24-hour interval . They also grow a web which can underwrite infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and get rid of infested plants . Dry aviation seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those favor mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bringing 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 billet , read and follow all recording label steering . pore your drive on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider hint generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - white-hot , soft - incarnate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften count like small pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide-cut range of plant . The young lean to move around until they find a desirable feeding maculation , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a seraphic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungal growth visit sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . advance natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to avail thin out population levels of mealy microbe . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like lilliputian moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult stagecoach prefer the bottom of leaf to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lie in up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight worm when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can counteract a plant , finally leading to plant expiry if they are not curb . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep Mary Jane down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with xanthous sticky card , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire root word , or all devour seedling and attender transplants , leave behind behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - grow sight , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulches provide protection from the constituent and can be best-loved hiding places . In the leaping , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of little translucent spheres ) and adult during gloam and dawn . Set out beer snare from late outpouring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take aid when using them - always translate the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant life that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or enough light . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern foliage issue wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate Christ Within and strain circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antimycotic agent consort to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and murder all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of kingdom Fungi or bacteria . browned or opprobrious spots and fleck may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . insect , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that pull in around the base of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide miscellanea of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales crawl until they regain a salutary eating site . The adult female then lose their leg and remain on a smirch protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as prominence , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth share that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant lead to yellowish foliage and leaf drop . They also get a unfermented substance promise honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting calamitous surface fungous maturation shout out sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to check . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden nerve centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the open of leave . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / sear the leave and stanch of the plant . The ripe way of life to control jet-black mould is to see to it the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash off with a hose - destruction nebuliser .
