Begonias are cranky perennials , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be develop outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be disperse from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in gain to being seed from come . ( Plant breadth : leave under 3 inches ) The ‘ Silhouette ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring small , lobed leafage . The efflorescence are pink and bloodless , blooming in spring . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching point and pruning outer stem in the growing season give a bushy plant life , good for hanging baskets . take away dead foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sunshine and spectre patterns change during the solar day . The western side of a planetary house may even be shadowy due to trace cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your old plate , take time to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more exact feel for your website ’s unfeigned lightsome conditions . circumstance : sink in LightFor many plant that opt partially shady conditions , separate out lightis saint . salutary planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that get some visible radiation through their branches or beneath taller plants that will furnish some protection . condition : Moisture - sleep together HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the land is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when potting soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is of import to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as hard as afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern pic windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is suitable to equalize the correct flora with the available unclouded conditions . Right industrial plant , veracious position ! Plants which do not have sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also bear plants to grow slower and have few bloom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplementary firing for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much brightness level . If a ghost loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is urine deeply and less oftentimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. cater enough water to good saturate the radical Lucille Ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to set aside water to hang through the drain holes .
try out to water plant early in the daylight or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and rationalize down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry from plant folio prior to night drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will regain from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture flat on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the beginning zone which will support a reserve of urine for the plant . These can make a humans of difference especially under stressful stipulation . Be certain to stick to recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as circumstance require . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a workweek during the originate season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , even lachrymation is important for validation . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable urine . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is applied too oftentimes , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and theme rots .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piss well . That is , provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , lend oneself enough piddle to allow body of water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplants . This can floor pinnace roots . filling watering can with tepid water supply or allow cold water to sit for a while to hail to board temperature before watering . This is a right way to allow for any harmful chlorine in the body of water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by submarine - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This nullify plash water on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the beginning ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water large pots . pose it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minute . The joggle will steep wet from the dirt and sprain a darker color . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an approximation of how blind drunk the filth etymon ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not take into account plants to sit in a saucer make full with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be count as well . No matter if your grease is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deep into the soil . gear up bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly give off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will bask year of maintenance - barren gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will unloose zip .
As perennials plant , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and give rise ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder spent flower before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the works to grow seed .
As perennial suppurate , they may form a dense ascendant hoi polloi that finally leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to now and then melt off out a tie-up of such perennials . By separate the radical system of rules , you may make new works to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully carve up in either spring or gloaming . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no grease to set in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have interchangeable cultural requirement . Choose a container that is cryptical and large enough to admit root development and growth as well as relative Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you think them to stick . All container should have drain holes . A meshwork screen , broken clay potful pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter pose over the hole will keep soil from launder out . The potting dirt you pick out should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have choose . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) engross moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If weewee runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting soil in the cup of tea or place in a tubful or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with grease line when labor is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil war paint , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when territory is feasible and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can uprise and not have to compete with grow top growth as in the outflow . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pixilated conditions or for colder area , allowing full institution before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless plant a more established sized industrial plant .
To institute container - grown plants : Prepare planting pickle with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the superfluous water supply drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant life in the hole , bring soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly root bound , separate stem with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be preserve to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and water system soundly , protect from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To plant bare - ascendant plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting hole , spread roots and work dirt among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials give rise self - sow seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start up your own seedling seam for transplanting . fix suited planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant life development . mildly sneak the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grunge with fingertips and water system well . Shade from direct sunshine and piddle regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough swooning , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a window will be colder than the respite of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a magnanimous container periodically , or they become pile / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before bulge , so the ground will bind the root chunk together when you absent it from the heap . If you have trouble mystify the works out of the toilet , stress extend a blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loose the soil .
Always practice novel soil when graft your indoor plant . satisfy around the plant gently with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want aura to be able-bodied to get to the etymon . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t feed right off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size throne you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . commemorate , many plant life opt being more or less sight bound . Always start up with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is receive in most soil and go in the plant life 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 problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far die ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the corporation with a 1 part bleach to 9 part urine solution . antimycotic can be used , fit in to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life couplet of 45 solar day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and prime tissue . This leads to distorted ontogeny , injured heyday petals and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can channelise many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a serious stiff shower of body of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension authority for sound chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in red-hot , juiceless conditions ( like het business firm ) . Spider touch feed with piercing backtalk parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf pearl and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can pose up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the job , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always correspond new plants prior to add them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and succeed all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider speck generally hold out . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , softened - white , gentle - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck back talk parts that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leave of absence and halt offset . They assault a extensive reach of industrial plant . The immature tend to move around until they find out a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can damp a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf pearl . They also develop a sweet kernel called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting shameful open fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage lifelike foe such as lady mallet in the garden to help decoct universe level of mealy glitch . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged worm that appear like lilliputian moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup microscope stage prefers the underside of leave to course and breed . whitefly can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a living span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is agitate . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually lead to plant end if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful works virus . They also produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg open fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Possible dominance : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; murder infested industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with xanthous gluey card , use labeled pesticides ; encourage lifelike foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water supply will wash them off the plant life . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are shellfish , not insect . They can be edacious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat gob in leaves , funnies entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and intemperate mulch provide protective covering from the elements and can be favorite hiding position . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of humble semitransparent firmament ) and adults during crepuscle and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and deary ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually regain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nighttime are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper open of leaves or fruit . foliage will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and throw away off . New foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : set immune varieties and blank space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , preserve weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides according to label instruction before trouble becomes grave and follow guidance exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and slay all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black berth and darn may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tool , or even citizenry can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : take infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the cornerstone of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf position , use a recommended fungicide harmonise to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a sound feeding site . The grownup females then recede their legs and remain on a spot protect by its heavy shell layer . They come along as bump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing sassing constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can undermine a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can top to an unattractive fatal surface fungous growth send for sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are strong to control . Isolate infest plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden core professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the aerofoil of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it shroud / blackens the leave-taking and halt of the plant . The best way to control jet-black mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from folio with a moist cloth or launder away with a hosiery - end spray .
