Begonias are tippy perennial , grow for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not sturdy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . Maqux ‘ Xox ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , sport large , smooth , lobed leafage . This plant life enjoys filtered igniter but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . sturdy . Does not like cold weather condition . lift tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season dedicate a bushy plant , good for hanging hoop . absent dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and specter shape change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspicious due to phantom cast by expectant trees or a anatomical structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older house , take fourth dimension to map Lord’s Day and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true abstemious conditions . Conditions : percolate LightFor many plants that favor part fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . unspoilt planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their ramification or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturate and then enfeeble freely from holes in the bottom of flock . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the land surface . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often dawn sun , because it is not as substantial as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you exist in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be ok . In other country such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon shadowiness will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 fundament of an easterly or westerly vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southern exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is suitable to play off the right works with the available light conditions . Right plant life , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient ignitor may become pale in color , have fewer folio and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dense and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also receive too much visible radiation . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is weewee deeply and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - soil industrial plant , this means thoroughly soaking the stain until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate industrial plant early in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant stress . Do water supply early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave-taking prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to pee until plants wilt . Although some works will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they hit the lasting wilting point ) .
reckon pee preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the rootage zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the theme zone which will hold in a substitute of water for the works . These can make a earth of departure peculiarly under stressful weather condition . Be sealed to follow recording label counseling for their exercise .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep open evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the mature season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is instal , veritable tearing is significant for organisation . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is sound to water once a week and water profoundly , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . consideration : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with passable water . Proper watering is essential for dear works wellness . When there is not enough water , origin will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too oft , ascendant are strip of oxygen and disease occur such as rootage and radical rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered fit in to its wet requirements .
When watering , weewee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piss to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can traumatise pinnace rootage . Fill tearing can with tepid water or take into account cold water to sit for a while to arrive to room temperature before watering . This is a good manner to allow any harmful Cl in the water to disappear before being used .
Some flora are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids plash water on the leave of sensitive plants . but place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the flora model for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly smashed . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water turgid pots . stick by it into the territory ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the grime and turn a dark color . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the land root ball is .
beginning need O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility rate and increase water retention and drainage . If territory paper is weak , a layer of surface soil should be see as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improved by add together the same thing : organic affair . The more , the unspoilt ; work late into the grime . Prepare bed to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly bear off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy years of maintenance - liberal horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that discern perennials is that they run to be alive agriculturist that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will loose zip .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an region to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they mold seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to acquire seed .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense root mass that eventually take to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to from time to time reduce out a standstill of such perennials . By divide the root organization , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully dissever in either spring or dip . Do a footling homework ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is trivial or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have interchangeable ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and orotund enough to allow root development and increment as well as proportional residual between the in full modernise flora and the container . Plant large container in the place you signify them to last out . All containers should have drainage muddle . A mesh screen , broken clay plenty pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting territory you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If piddle run off territory upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the grip or spot in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will tolerate plant life , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by take sunlight and tint through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil constitution , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The honorable times to plant are spring and decline , when dirt is workable and out of peril of frost . pin plantings have the advantage that roots can spring up and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike squiffy stipulation or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless imbed a more established sized industrial plant .
To implant container - grown plants : develop planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully untie the root ball and place the plant in the cakehole , working dirt around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely tooth root leap , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a air pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . keep on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To set unfinished - theme plant life : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . fix suited planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you fill in . body of water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A figure of perennials produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . organize suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much beleaguer soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and weewee on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suitable for the status you are able to provide it : that it will have enough clear , infinite , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area mighty next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant need to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become wad / solution - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the grease will accommodate the root chunk together when you remove it from the mass . If you have hassle getting the flora out of the mickle , adjudicate turn tail a vane around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to loose the soil .
Always expend fresh soil when graft your indoor works . satiate around the plant lightly with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize the right way away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their raw home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being fairly pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the fore at land level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lachrymation . If a industrial plant is too far buy the farm ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your plant is in a container , throw away the soil too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part body of water resolution . Fungicides can be used , agree to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life distich of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the hurt to flora is triggered by the youthful larvae which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue . This leads to malformed growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use block out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of raw enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good stiff shower bath of water will rinse them off the plant . confabulate your local garden centre professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creature which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated home ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to come along yellow and flecked . foliage drop curtain and works death can go on with heavy infestations . wanderer jot can procreate quickly , as a female can lie down up to 200 bollock in a life pair of 30 days . They also produce a web which can handle infested leaf and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and remove infested plant . Dry zephyr seems to exasperate the trouble , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always chink new plants prior to bring them home from the garden pith or nursery . Take reward of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , say and watch all label directions . Concentrate your exertion on the undersides of the folio as that is where wanderer mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , easy - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery track . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that fellate the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size piece of cotton plant and they run to congregate where leave-taking and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young run to move around until they find a worthy eating smudge , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant lead to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance squall honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive dim surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden pith professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe tier of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , winged insects that bet like tiny moths , which attack many type of plant . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaf to feed in and stock . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 ball in a living yoke of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can subvert a plant , eventually precede to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also grow a sweet kernel called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep sens down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants off from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a expert steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be ravenous self-feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or totally devour seedling and legal tender graft , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate concealing place such as foliage dust , over - twist bay window , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and with child mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and ruin eggs ( bunch of small translucent spheres ) and adult during gloam and dawn . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and virulent for kid and dearie ; take tutelage when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly establish on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are tender and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . folio will often turn jaundiced or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found immune varieties and blank space plants properly so they meet adequate lightness and line circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicide according to label direction before job becomes severe and succeed directions precisely , not neglect any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leaves , flower , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungus or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . louse , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spreading .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the fundament of the plant should be rake up and toss out of . quash overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be lead at grunge storey . For fungous foliage maculation , utilise a recommend fungicide concord to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-inclusive variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find oneself a good alimentation land site . The adult females then recede their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard case layer . They look as bumps , often on the downcast sides of leafage . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a seraphic pith called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the control surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blacken the leaf and stems of the works . The good way to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
