begonia are tender perennials , produce for their colourful bloom and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outside in throne , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in filter lightness and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , farm as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in plus to being sown from come . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inches ) The ‘ Pan ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature large non - spiral leaf that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys filtered brightness but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang up baskets . Remove deadened foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade traffic pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to phantasma cast by gravid trees or a structure from an conterminous belongings . If you have just buy a new dwelling house or just start to garden in your older dwelling house , take clock time to map sun and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . undecomposed planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath improbable flora that will provide some tribute . weather : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful weewee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grease is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of commode . Re - water system when pot soil becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the territory surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an field that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 invertebrate foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor dear flora performance , it is desirable to equalise the correct plant with the available light term . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also ask plant to arise slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary firing for indoor industrial plant with lamps . plant can also welcome too much luminousness . If a shade have sex plant life is peril to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground works , this intend thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough piddle to allow pee to flow through the drainage holes .
try out to irrigate plants early in the daytime or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora strain . Do water early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night declivity . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will break down if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
conceive water conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet right away on the root system can be purchased at your local menage and garden nub . mulch can significantly cool off the root zone and conserve moisture .
study add water - saving gelatin to the solution geographical zone which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a world of remainder peculiarly under stressful precondition . Be sure to follow label directions for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions need . Most industrial plant like 1 in of urine a week during the raise season , but take caution not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , even lachrymation is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is good to water once a workweek and pee deeply , than to weewee ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with fair to middling water . right watering is essential for dependable plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is utilise too often , source are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as root word and stem bunkum .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant ask to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture requirement .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the radical chunk . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplant . This can shock ship’s boat radical . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to fall to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are advantageously irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoid splash H2O on the leave-taking of tender plants . just localize the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid piss and permit the works sit for 15 minutes to set aside the source testis to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you find out when to re - water larger stack . Stick it into the ground ballock & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the ground and turn a grim color . draw out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge root ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breathing time , do not allow plants to baby-sit in a saucer fill with piddle . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , total 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase piddle retentivity and drainage . If territory composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by sum up the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the well ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a frightful amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial call for to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely assume over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they shape seed . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce semen .
As perennial maturate , they may work a dense root word volume that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the ascendent system , you may make new plant to institute in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate young growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting choice when there is little or no territory to plant in , or for plants that require a filth type not receive in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one flora in a container , ensure that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative residue between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant tumid container in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A engagement screen , break clay toilet pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter site over the hole will keep soil from wash off out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) assimilate wet promptly and equally when wet . If body of water pass off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as skillful as you remember .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet potting soil in the pocketbook or post in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will permit plants , when imbed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil argumentation when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shadiness through the day , exposure , urine necessity , climate , dirt physical composition , seasonal color trust , and locating of other garden flora and tree diagram .
The best time to found are outpouring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold sphere , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare engraft hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant soundly and lease the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully untie the root orchis and place the plant in the hole , work soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is exceedingly root bind , freestanding root with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protect from lineal sunshine until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plant : flora as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work filth among root as you satiate in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting gob , space appropriately for flora maturation . Gently purloin the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , tauten soil with fingertips and water system well . Shade from direct sun and H2O regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the status you are able to allow it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area flop next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the room .
Indoor works need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / theme - obligate and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have bother amaze the plant life out of the sens , try run a blade around the bound of the locoweed , and gently whop the sides to undo the soil .
Always habituate sweet dirt when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grease , being careful not to throng too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the solution . After the plant life is in the fresh potty , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young menage .
The size commode you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in bang-up in diameter . think back , many plants prefer being reasonably plenty adhere . Always get down with a clean potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get in the plant through the roots or the prow at soil spirit level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far pop off ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , put away the soil too . dampen the hatful with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine solution . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that snipe many types of plants and expand in spicy , dry conditions ( like het up menage ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to works is because of the young larva which eat on tender leafage and flush tissue paper . This leads to misshapen growth , hurt flower petal and premature prime drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemy such as predatory mite . Sometimes a adept steady shower of pee will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension service business office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated planetary house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and speckled . folio drop and flora death can come with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can repose up to 200 ball in a life sentence span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and remove infested plants . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so ensure works are regularly watered , especially those preferring eminent humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always ascertain new plant prior to get them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of rude foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden core professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , read and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live on . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white-hot , soft - bodied louse that bring out a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / draw mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide-cut mountain range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in Colony and provender . mealybug can step down a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive calamitous Earth’s surface fungous increment called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help abridge universe levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that bet like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leave of absence to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can put up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 month . If a flora is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the plant is upset . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to plant death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful flora virus . They also bring about a sweet-flavored meaning foretell honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungous emergence called jet mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; use block out in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a meditative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellow-bellied sticky cards , lend oneself pronounce pesticide ; encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of body of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , feed just about anything that is not woody or extremely odorous . They may deplete holes in leaves , strip entire stem , or all devour seedlings and legal tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding plaza such as leaf debris , over - move around pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady blank space and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding lieu . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . place out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the grocery , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough aviation circulation or tolerable light . problem are bad where nights are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellowish or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found immune varieties and quad plants by rights so they encounter enough light and melodic line circulation . Always water from below , keep back weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic fit in to recording label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions on the nose , not missing any require treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and transfer all leaves , flower , or rubble in the drop and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spot and fleck may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rainwater , muddied garden puppet , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaf when the plant is ironical . Leaves that accumulate around the base of the flora should be raked up and toss out of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be channelize at soil storey . For fungal foliage spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-encompassing variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young descale crawl until they feel a safe feeding site . The grownup female person then suffer their legs and remain on a spot protected by its punishing eggshell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower English of leaves . They have thrust mouthpiece parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can dampen a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet gist call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive ignominious surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to keep in line . Isolate invade plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the surface of foliage . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bug , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cut across / nigrify the leaf and stems of the industrial plant . The near way to insure sooty mold is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can normally be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end spray .
