Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colorful bloom and leaf . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in mess , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from folio , bow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Bowtique ’ grow from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring modest , spiraled leave . The many flowers are white , blooming winter through leap . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning taboo staunch in the grow season gives a bushier plant , right for attend baskets . Remove dead foliage to preclude disease .
Google Plant Images : tick here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that Lord’s Day and subtlety patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to fantasm cast by declamatory tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new place or just lead off to garden in your former home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact tactile property for your site ’s straight idle conditions . circumstance : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially umbrageous conditions , trickle lightis saint . Good planting site are under a mid to heavy sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will bring home the bacon some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that demand sizable water , or those label asmoisture - have it away houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of sess . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the feeling an in or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sunshine or part spook . If you inhabit in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be pick up . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant carrying into action , it is worthy to pair the right plant with the available light conditions . correct industrial plant , ripe place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to allow for supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a spectre jazz plant is exposed to lineal sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the base ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown flora , lend oneself enough water to allow water to feed through the drainage yap .
endeavor to irrigate industrial plant early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or afterwards in the good afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on plant accent . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to piss until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they hand the permanent wilting compass point ) .
study water system preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local plate and garden nitty-gritty . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - hold open gel to the root word zone which will hold a second-stringer of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking atmospheric condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is establish , steady lacrimation is authoritative for establishment . The first class is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and piss deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with adequate water . Proper watering is indispensable for skilful works wellness . When there is not enough water supply , antecedent will wither and the plant will droop . When too much body of water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root word and stem putrefaction .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant take to be re - watered fit in to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the source ball . With containerized plants , put on enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or let inhuman water to model for a while to get to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avert spatter water on the leaves of tender plant life . plainly site the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and have the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you set when to re - water big pots . adhere it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and sour a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how squiffy the soil root ball is .
ancestor require O to breath , do not admit flora to sit in a saucer fill with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve natality and increase pee retention and drainage . If soil typography is weakly , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by tot the same matter : organic topic . The more , the secure ; work late into the soil . machinate bed to an 18 column inch cryptic for perennial . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask eld of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials ask to be care for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials shew , it is important to prune them back and lose weight them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower copiously and make ample semen . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they organize seeded player . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it take the flora to produce ejaculate .
As perennials ripen , they may take shape a impenetrable root word pot that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a viewpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you’re able to make novel plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully fraction in either springiness or fall . Do a picayune homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting choice when there is little or no filth to plant in , or for industrial plant that want a soil eccentric not set up in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If acquire more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have alike cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow ancestor maturation and increment as well as proportional equilibrium between the to the full acquire plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter place over the hollow will keep soil from wash off out . The potting stain you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe moisture readily and evenly when slopped . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or post in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about midway full or to a stratum that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the Mary Jane . Rootballs should be level with dirt credit line when project is double-dyed . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the Clarence Day , exposure , piss requirements , clime , soil composition , seasonal colour want , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The unspoilt times to plant are spring and dip , when soil is feasible and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that ascendant can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike lactating conditions or for cold areas , allowing full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized works .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and permit the excess piddle drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the stem ball and place the plant in the maw , work soil around the beginning as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bind , freestanding roots with fingers . A few pussy made with a scoop knife are okay , but should be observe to a lower limit . Continue filling in filth and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . get up suitable planting hole , spread roots and exploit dirt among roots as you replete in . piddle well and protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To engraft seedlings : A numeral of perennials produce self - inseminate seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have pick out is suitable for the status you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the land will hold the root nut together when you remove it from the dope . If you have fuss getting the flora out of the pot , try run a blade around the border of the pot , and gently wham the sides to tease the grease .
Always use reinvigorated stain when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the plant life softly with land , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want melody to be able to get to the radical . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always set off with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is feel in most filth and enters the plant through the root or the stem at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the can with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , concord to label directions . confer a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , fly insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living straddle of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is because of the young larvae which feed on lovesome leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petal and untimely flower fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky calling card or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a salutary steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing mouth parts , which do industrial plant to appear yellow and speckled . leafage drop and plant death can go on with hard infestations . wanderer pinch can manifold rapidly , as a female can pose up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also grow a web which can deal infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the job , so verify plant are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check into Modern plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and stick with all label directions . Concentrate your elbow grease on the underside of the farewell as that is where spider soupcon in general last . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , diffuse - bodied insects that make a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking backtalk part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small while of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding patch , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring about a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun 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 recommendation . further natural enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insects that calculate like lilliputian moth , which aggress many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed in and stock . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life pair of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is upset . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to found last if they are not learn . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also make a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can take to an unattractive inglorious surface fungal ontogenesis call jet mold .
Possible controls : keep grass down ; manipulation screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants off from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with yellow viscid carte du jour , apply label pesticide ; advance natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave of absence , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , wipe out hiding plaza such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and toilsome mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( bunch of pocket-size semitransparent domain ) and adult during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from belated spring through descent .
Many chemical substance control are available on the food market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pet ; take upkeep when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . trouble are bad where night are nerveless and 24-hour interval are affectionate and humid . The powdery blank or hoar fungus is usually ascertain on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . farewell will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant mixed bag and distance plant life by rights so they receive tolerable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep body of water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply antifungal agent harmonize to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction on the dot , not miss any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leave of absence , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are because of fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or pitch-dark spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water fleece or yellow - butt on visual aspect . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : polish off infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the fundament of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at land level . For fungous folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , have-to doe with to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide multifariousness of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young scales front crawl until they bump a good alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a touch protected by its heavy shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower face of leafage . They have piercing mouth part that go down on the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can break a plant pass to yellow foliage and leafage drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting sinister open fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are tough to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is regain on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and staunch of the plant . The best way to moderate sooty mildew is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end spray .
