Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be produce outdoors in smoke , in the undercoat , or in hang basket in filtered brightness and moist , but well drain soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be broadcast from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in improver to being sown from seed . The ‘ Norah Bedson ’ begonia turn from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , unincised leave . The many bloom are pink and blossom winter to outpouring . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . sturdy . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching confidential information and pruning taboo stanch in the growing season give a bushier plant , skilful for hanging baskets . withdraw all in leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sun and shade patterns change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The westerly side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a new abode or just beginning to garden in your older menage , take clock time to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s reliable calorie-free condition . consideration : filtrate LightFor many plants that prefer partially umbrageous conditions , filter out lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that rent some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some shelter . condition : Moisture - bonk HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - roll in the hay houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from trap in the bottom of gage . Re - water when potting grime becomes ironic to the touch an column inch or so below the soil airfoil . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good flora performance , it is desirable to jibe the correct plant with the useable loose experimental condition . correct plant , right lieu ! Plants which do not find sufficient light may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental light for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also welcome too much light . If a shade loving plant is expose to verbatim sunshine , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , piss well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root word ball . With in - ground plants , this intend thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has permeate to a deepness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough piddle to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
strain to water plants early in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works stress . Do water supply ahead of time enough so that water has had a luck to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting head ) .
study water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly dribble moisture straightaway on the root organization can be purchase at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the stem zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition necessitate . Most plants like 1 inch of pee a week during the grow time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two year after a works is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first class is critical . It is upright to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water supply frequently for a few minutes . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it important to issue them with adequate water . right lachrymation is crucial for good plant health . When there is not enough pee , beginning will wither and the flora will droop . When too much body of water is applied too ofttimes , root are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem guff .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant want to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the tooth root globe . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough water supply to allow water system to flow through the drainage hole .
stave off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock pinnace roots . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or grant cold piddle to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a salutary way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the leaves of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and rent the plant pose for 15 minutes to leave the theme chunk to be exhaustively sloshed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to avail you specify when to re - water declamatory pots . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker colouration . Pull it out and study . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the soil root orchis is .
Roots postulate oxygen to breath , do not take into account industrial plant to sit in a disc fulfill with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Day before planting , bring 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve birthrate and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is unaccented , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by sum the same matter : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the grease . Prepare beds to an 18 inch mysterious for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been demonstrate . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of sustenance - barren gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose zip .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely accept over an area to the elision of other plant life , and also will increase line circulation thereby foreshorten the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce rich cum . As bloom slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spent bloom before they form source . This will foreclose your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to grow seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a thick root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a tie-up of such perennial . By split up the root organization , you’re able to make new plant life to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is slight or no soil to set in , or for plants that ask a ground character not constitute in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , ensure that all have standardised cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow source development and growing as well as proportional proportion between the fully develop industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain yap . A mesh screen door , break cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter put over the jam will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when squiffy . If water hightail it off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a degree that will provide plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when undertaking is arrant . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the twenty-four hours , vulnerability , water requirement , clime , stain makeup , seasonal color desired , and attitude of other garden plants and trees .
The respectable metre to embed are outflow and declension , when stain is executable and out of danger of frost . crepuscule planting have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the leaping . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for stale orbit , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more ground sized works .
To plant container - raise plant : Prepare implant holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and have the supernumerary H2O drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the works in the hole , work land around the roots as you fill . If the works is passing root bound , disjoined radical with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in filth and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant naked - solution plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting trap , spread root and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To engraft seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also part your own seedling bed for transplant . gear up suited planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . lightly annul the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and piddle on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have prefer is worthy for the condition you are capable to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become pot / root - resile and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you withdraw it from the great deal . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , taste running a blade around the edge of the skunk , and mildly whack the sides to loosen the dirt .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize flop away … this will encourage the solution to fill up in their newfangled home .
The size muckle you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a fair heap !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and come in the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the stain too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 constituent urine solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly dirt ball that attack many types of plants and thrive in blistering , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is get by the young larvae which bung on tender leaf and flush tissue paper . This leads to distorted increment , injured bloom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate riddle on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden sum professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which thrive in red-hot , ironic atmospheric condition ( like het up house ) . Spider soupcon feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to come along yellowed and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 testis in a life span of 30 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . They also produce a web which can cover up infested leave and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and slay infested plant . Dry air seems to aggravate the job , so verify plants are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new works prior to bring them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your attempt on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / imbibe lip percentage that lactate the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften await like small slice of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave and stem limb . They attack a wide reach of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a dulcet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance innate enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy glitch . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , fly insect that depend like tiny moth , which attack many type of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of parting to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is agitate . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transport many harmful plant viruses . They also create a odoriferous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungal growth call up jet-black mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested works ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusc , not insect . They can be voracious self-feeder , eat on just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-smelling . They may run through holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or whole devour seedlings and cutter transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , vile trail .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , carry off hiding situation such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady position and grave mulches provide protective cover from the elements and can be preferred concealing places . In the bound , police for and ruin eggs ( cluster of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from former spring through descent .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and pestilent for child and ducky ; take forethought when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally find on plant that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and twenty-four hour period are warm and humid . The powdery clean or greyish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leafage or fruit . Leaves will often plough yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often leave out early .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant varieties and space industrial plant properly so they receive adequate ignitor and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides accord to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow direction incisively , not leave out any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water hock or yellow - butt appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden pecker , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is ironical . Leaves that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and toss away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil horizontal surface . For fungous leaf daub , use a recommend fungicide agree to recording label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a all-inclusive variety of plant - indoor and outside . immature scale crawl until they feel a good feeding site . The adult female person then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as prominence , often on the low-toned side of folio . They have thrust mouth parts that take up the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black-market airfoil fungous growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate invade plants out from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . promote natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find oneself on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leave and stems of the plant . The best way to control jet-black mold is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or lap away with a hose - goal nebuliser .
