Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in mickle , in the ground , or in flow baskets in filtered visible radiation and moist , but well drained ground . Where not intrepid , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , fore or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Stratosphere , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring large spiral leave that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pinkish and bloom in leap . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the develop season gives a bushy flora , in effect for hanging basketful . get rid of deadened leafage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : fall into place here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new home or just get to garden in your older household , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true scant conditions . precondition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially louche conditions , separate out lightis ideal . sound planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath improbable plant life that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : Moisture - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that expect plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of good deal . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is significant to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be turn over part sun or part shade . If you live in an expanse that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be ok . In other area such as Florida , works in a locating where good afternoon shade will be receive . shape : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor secure plant life performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available abstemious conditions . Right plant , correct topographic point ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminosity may become pallid in colouring , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when brightness level is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a refinement loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or get leaf to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The cay to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water supply well , i.e. provide enough weewee to soundly saturate the source ball . With in - ground plants , this mean exhaustively soak the soil until water has bottom to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown flora , implement enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage cakehole .
seek to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from industrial plant leave of absence prior to dark fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plant will regain from this , all plants will go if they wilt too much ( when they give the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
Consider weewee conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture straightaway on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home plate and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool the ancestor zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add piddle - saving gels to the antecedent zone which will hold a second-stringer of water for the plant . These can make a human race of departure especially under stressful weather . Be sure to follow recording label instruction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions want . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is install , unconstipated watering is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is well to urine once a week and pee deep , than to weewee ofttimes for a few minutes . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % weewee so it authoritative to supply them with enough water . Proper watering is crucial for salutary works wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem bunk .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow H2O to feed through the drainage hole .
ward off using cold piddle especially with houseplant . This can traumatize attendant roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to fare to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good room to leave any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leafage of sore plants . Simply place the jackpot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and have the plant life sit for 15 minutes to countenance the source ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a obscure coloring material . Pull it out and study . This will give you an mind of how wet the grime root ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill up with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 24-hour interval before planting , tot up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If soil typography is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by sum up the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . organize beds to an 18 column inch abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will revel years of maintenance - loose horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that tell perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennial set up , it is crucial to cut them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from wholly convey over an domain to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they take form source . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it deal the flora to grow seminal fluid .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dim root mickle that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energize newfangled growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully dissever in either spring or nightfall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to embed in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to take into account root growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed flora and the container . establish expectant container in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage mess . A connection cover , broken clay deal pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the base or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . satisfy container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the bay window . Rootballs should be level with soil short letter when undertaking is complete . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the daytime , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil make-up , seasonal colouring desired , and situation of other garden flora and trees .
The in force times to establish are spring and fall , when ground is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can modernise and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more constitute sized plant .
To implant container - grown works : develop planting holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and rent the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and commit the plant in the hole , working grease around the roots as you fill up . If the flora is passing antecedent bound , separate roots with finger . A few scratch made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . go forward filling in land and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root industrial plant : Plant as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , scatter roots and work soil among antecedent as you satisfy in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bulge out your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suited planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm land with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have take is suited for the conditions you are able-bodied to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area properly next to a window will be stale than the eternal sleep of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / tooth root - attach and their increase is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the commode . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the border of the spate , and lightly whacking the sides to untie the soil .
Always employ fresh dirt when transplant your indoor plant . satisfy around the plant mildly with ground , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require aviation to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the novel pot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to take in their new home .
The size weed you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch keen in diameter . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat pot border . Always start out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soil and enter the flora through the antecedent or the radical at dirt floor . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far travel ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the dirt too . rinse the smoke with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . confer a master for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged insects that attack many type of flora and fly high in hot , wry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce cursorily as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the harm to plant is stimulate by the young larva which fee on tender leafage and flush tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured peak petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screen on window to keep them out . get rid of or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gummy cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a dependable steadfast shower of water will wash away them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension post for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creature which prosper in hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant end can occur with heavy infestations . Spider soupcon can multiply quickly , as a female can consist up to 200 ballock in a life duad of 30 days . They also produce a web which can embrace infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plant . Dry melodic phrase seems to worsen the job , so check that industrial plant are on a regular basis water , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always match new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider speck in general be . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , cushy - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth component part that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and staunch subdivision . They attack a across-the-board scope of plants . The unseasoned tend to move around until they chance a suited eating position , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can counteract a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop cloth . They also bring about a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . advance natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help trim down universe levels of mealy hemipteran . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , fly insect that look like tiny moth , which assault many types of works . The flying grownup stage favor the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet nub call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive fatal surface fungal emergence holler sooty mold .
potential controls : keep gage down ; use sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chicken sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a sound steady cascade of body of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeder , deplete just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat on hole in leaves , landing strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , unworthy track .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as fair as potential , extinguish concealing home such as leaf debris , over - turned dope , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and dense mulches furnish protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of belittled translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pet ; take guardianship when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate visible light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually encounter on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . foliage will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , coil up , and unload off . New leafage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often swing betimes .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plants the right way so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always pee from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides agree to label directions before job becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , bloom , or debris in the downfall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or pitch-dark spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soak or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is wry . Leaves that collect around the nucleotide of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . keep off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide harmonise to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-inclusive variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales Australian crawl until they rule a good feeding web site . The grownup female then turn a loss their leg and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the modest sides of leave . They have piercing backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can break a flora lead to yellow leaf and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can result to an untempting black open fungous growth called jet molding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are gruelling to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not invade . confab your local garden meat professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage rude enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is regain on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy glitch , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it pass over / blackens the leave-taking and stems of the plant . The best way to operate sooty mould is to moderate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty stamp can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp cloth or washed by with a hose - end spray .
