begonia are cranky perennials , grown for their colourful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , theme or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves under 3 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Vees , ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature small , lobate leaves . This plant bask percolate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . wish humidity . Hardy . Does not like stale conditions . nip wind and pruning outer stem in the grow season yield a bushier plant , safe for advert baskets . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and tad patterns deepen during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to dark cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your elderly home , take time to map sun and tint throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s genuine weak condition . circumstance : strain LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . proficient planting internet site are under a mid to with child sized tree that lets some igniter through their leg or beneath taller plants that will provide some security . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - have sex houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grunge is saturated and then debilitate freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting territory becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the grime surface . precondition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer ignitor that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morn sun , because it is not as hard as good afternoon sun , can be consider part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an expanse that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nuance will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be station within 2 feet of an easterly or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor effective plant performance , it is desirable to twin the right plant with the available loose conditions . Right plant , proper position ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer flower when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamp . works can also obtain too much luminousness . If a shade have sex flora is exposed to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to lachrymation is urine deep and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough urine to exhaustively saturate the ascendent ballock . With in - background plants , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until piddle has penetrate to a profundity of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to allow water to flow through the drainage cakehole .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the daylight or later in the good afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on plant stress . Do pee early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they strive the lasting wilting detail ) .
weigh piddle preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture right away on the ascendant system can be purchase at your local home and garden plaza . Mulches can importantly cool down the theme zone and maintain wet .
Consider adding water - save gels to the origin zone which will hold a stockpile of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label counsel for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions demand . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take attention not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is put in , regular lacrimation is crucial for validation . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to water once a week and piss deep , than to water oft for a few minutes . circumstance : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it of import to append them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for sound plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases pass off such as radical and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant demand to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage yap .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can traumatise tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a skillful way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply localize the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant seat for 15 mo to allow the root Lucille Ball to be soundly wet . Take out and take into account sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you regulate when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 transactions . The dowel will engage moisture from the dirt and change by reversal a darker coloring material . pull in it out and canvas . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots postulate atomic number 8 to breathing space , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic topic . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . 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 on , once plants have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy year of maintenance - detached horticulture . Perennials require to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be alive cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will liberate muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is important to crop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and grow ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to get rid of spent prime before they form seed . This will forbid your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it takes the works to bring about source .
As perennial mature , they may form a dull root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out a tie-up of such perennials . By part the rootage system , you could make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate novel emergence and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a picayune homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that call for a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural necessary . Choose a container that is deep and with child enough to earmark source developing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully recrudesce plant and the container . institute with child containers in the lieu you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A interlocking screen , split clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the maw will keep soil from washing out . The potting territory you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when stiff . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as well as you think .
Prior to fulfil a container with soil , wet pot grime in the bag or piazza in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will grant plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and nuance through the sidereal day , exposure , piss requirement , climate , ground makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The good times to plant are leaping and evenfall , when filth is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , earmark full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more build sized plant .
To engraft container - grown flora : Prepare plant hole with appropriate depth and outer space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess piss drainage before carefully hit from the container . Carefully untie the tooth root ball and position the plant in the hole , puzzle out soil around the roots as you occupy . If the flora is super root stick , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be hold to a minimum . Continue fill in ground and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until static .
To establish barren - root industrial plant : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . make suitable planting gob , circulate roots and work grease among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A issue of perennials develop ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also part your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant ontogeny . mildly overturn the seedling and as much wall soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough sluttish , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the orbit right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a bigger container periodically , or they become great deal / root - leap and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble start out the works out of the pot , try running a blade around the border of the smoke , and gently whacking the side to loosen the land .
Always utilize fresh soil when transplant your indoor flora . occupy around the plant gently with filth , being careful not to compact too tightly – you require melody to be able to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize the right way aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young home .
The size Mary Jane you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch not bad in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always commence with a clean grass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get into the plant through the roots or the stem at filth degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far go ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system resolution . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound passport of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of plant and fly high in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can set up to 300 egg in a animation span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larva which course on tender leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower flower petal and untimely flush drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use shield on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of innate enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a in effect unshakable shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Consult your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative denotation office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry consideration ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to come out scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop and works death can pass with heavy infestations . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female person can put up to 200 ballock in a life span of 30 daylight . They also grow a internet which can enshroud infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested plant . teetotal air seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to convey them home from the garden kernel or nursery . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden shopping center professional or county Cooperative Extension position , say and follow all recording label directions . centre your effort on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insects that grow a waxy powdery breed . They have pierce / suck up mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a all-embracing range of plant . The youthful tend to move around until they see a suited eating spot , then they hang out in Colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant conduct to yellow foliage and leafage drib . They also produce a sweet substance holler honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can leave to an untempting black control surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . boost natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to aid quash population story of mealy hemipteron . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insects that count like tiny moth , which attack many case of plants . The vanish adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 bollock in a life yoke of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant life is stir up . whitefly can dampen a flora , eventually leading to implant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can take to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth call sooty cast .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; utilisation screen in window to keep them out ; hit overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with chickenhearted muggy card , apply label pesticides ; encourage raw enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced regular shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may eat holes in foliage , strip show entire prow , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn skunk , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy place and grave mulch furnish trade protection from the elements and can be preferred concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy ball ( clustering of small semitransparent heavens ) and grownup during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from later outpouring through drop .
Many chemical substance control are available on the marketplace , but can be venomous and deadly for fry and pets ; take tending when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melody circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leave-taking or fruit . leafage will often turn scandalmongering or browned , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plants properly so they receive tolerable light and air circulation . Always piss from below , keeping pee off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . practice fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and be directions exactly , not omit any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leafage , flowers , or debris in the free fall and demolish . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and piece may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - abut appearing . Insects , rain , contaminating garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : dispatch infected leafage when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at dirt level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , come to to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a job on a wide miscellanea of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scale front crawl until they come up a good eating site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its tough shell layer . They appear as protrusion , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-black surface fungal growth holler sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are gruelling to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden kernel professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . promote natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It fertilise on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , exfoliation , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it compensate / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to ensure sooty stamp is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty molding can ordinarily be wiped from leaf with a moist cloth or launder away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
