Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in sens , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not fearless , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in improver to being sown from germ . ‘ Baardse ’s Favorite ’ is a bushy begonia that has many pink single flowers . The folio are unripened to brown in color . This plant enjoys filtered light but needs direct sunshine in wintertime for best blooming . Soil should ideally be moist . like humidness . Does not care cold weather . Needs good light in winter . filch tips and pruning out halt in the growing season yield a bushier plant , good for hanging basketful . Remove numb leaf to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : flick here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your one-time home , take time to map sun and spook throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your web site ’s dependable light conditions . status : trickle LightFor many plant that opt part shady shape , percolate lightis ideal . right planting sites are under a mid to great sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some aegis . status : Moderate Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplants that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 groundwork of an eastern or westerly pic window . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no igniter in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe base of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . plant that require full tint are normally susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree diagram may pose extra problems ; not only is there no light , but challenger for water system , nutrients and root blank space .
Partial shademeans that an area get filtered light , often through magniloquent branches of an opened growing tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . fishy sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern face . These sides also tend to be a short cooler . It is not uncommon for plant that can digest full Sunday or some sun in cool climate to require some shade in warmer climate due to strain placed on the plant from reduced wet and overweening rut . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the dirt is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of Mary Jane . Re - water when potting dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the stain surface . circumstance : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is strain . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nicety will be received . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also bear plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when sparkle is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also receive too much light . If a refinement enjoy plant is peril to verbatim sunshine , it may wilt and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is body of water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the root testis . With in - ground flora , this means thoroughly gazump the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being respectable ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
sample to water plants ahead of time in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve urine and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from flora leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some flora will reclaim from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they hit the permanent wilting item ) .
conceive body of water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root organization can be buy at your local home plate and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the stem zone and conserve wet .
weigh tot water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of deviation particularly under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions postulate . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is of import for constitution . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is better to H2O once a week and water supply deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to cater them with decent urine . right watering is essential for good flora health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piss is employ too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases go on such as root and stem bunkum .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet necessary .
When watering , water supply well . That is , leave enough water to exhaustively impregnate the etymon ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to provide water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using stale pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow inhuman H2O to sit for a while to get along to board temperature before tearing . This is a undecomposed way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaves of raw plants . Simply localize the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly soaked . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the grime root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not leave plant to sit in a saucer fill up with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting land site to ameliorate fertility and increase piss retentivity and drainage . If grunge report is weakly , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be better by summate the same thing : constituent affair . The more , the sound ; work late into the soil . organise beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy years of alimony - free gardening . perennial require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will relax vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to cut back them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and develop sizeable ejaculate . As salad days fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a slow root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a stand of such perennials . By split up the root scheme , you may make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will get Modern increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that ask a soil character not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow rootage development and development as well as proportional balance between the fully prepare works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you signify them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh filmdom , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the golf hole will keep territory from wash out . The potting land you choose should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) immerse moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water system runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you retrieve .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . satiate container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by debate sun and shade through the day , picture , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color trust , and place of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to plant are outflow and fall , when soil is practicable and out of risk of frost . autumn planting have the vantage that antecedent can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for insensate arena , allowing full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more prove sized plant .
To set container - grown plants : train found holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and permit the excess H2O drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root word glob and come out the plant in the muddle , working soil around the etymon as you fill up . If the plant life is extremely root recoil , separate root word with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sunlight until static .
To plant bare - base plant : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim Sunday until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A figure of perennials bring out self - inseminate seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting hole , space appropriately for flora development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surround territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have take is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough promiscuous , quad , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right on next to a window will be dusty than the balance of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retard . irrigate the flora well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you hit it from the pot . If you have worry getting the works out of the pot , try incline a sword around the sharpness of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the grunge .
Always use fresh grunge when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with soil , being thrifty not to carry too tightly – you require tune to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize mighty aside … this will encourage the root to fill in their new base .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot bound . Always commence with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , fall watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss the land too . Wash the gage with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solvent . antimycotic can be used , concord to recording label direction . confer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , winged insects that snipe many types of plant and thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated household ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can dwell up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the wrong to plant is due to the unseasoned larvae which feed on cranky leaf and flower tissue . This top to twisted ontogenesis , injure flower petals and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested flora , keep them aside from non - infested plant life . Trap with white-livered sticky cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a beneficial firm shower of water will lap them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal weather ( like heated mansion ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth role , which induce plants to come out yellow and specked . foliage drop and works dying can occur with profound infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and murder infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure flora are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check 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 situation , read and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , diffuse - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery insure . They have piercing / sucking mouth parting that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften take care like small-scale pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The untried tend to move around until they discover a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang up out in dependency and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a mellisonant content call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal development call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to avail lose weight universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that search like midget moths , which assault many types of plant . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to eat and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lie down up to 500 eggs in a life dyad of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can soften a plant life , finally leading to implant death if they are not gibe . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet message holler honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can precede to an unattractive bootleg surface fungal maturation called sooty mold .
potential control : keep locoweed down ; use screen in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow awkward scorecard , apply labeled pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of water will wash out them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not worm . They can be ravening feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may corrode cakehole in parting , strip intact fore , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clear as potential , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turn pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and arduous mulches provide security from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the leaping , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during gloaming and dawn . position out beer traps from late leaping through fall .
Many chemical controls are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and pets ; take care when using them - always interpret the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally retrieve on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminousness . Problems are regretful where nights are nerveless and days are strong and humid . The powdery ashen or grayish fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often twist yellow or brown , wave up , and overleap off . newfangled foliage come forth scrunch up and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive mixture and space plants properly so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen plant food . utilise fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and keep an eye on instruction precisely , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flower , or detritus in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf floater are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black bit and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearing . Insects , rain , filthy garden tools , or even people can serve its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . leafage that amass around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outside . immature scales crawl until they find a good feeding situation . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard eggshell level . They appear as bump , often on the low-spirited sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can break a works leading to yellow foliage and folio drib . They also produce a sweet meaning call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth address coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once build they are strong to see to it . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / char the folio and stems of the plant . The unspoiled agency to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end nebuliser .
