Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in kitty , in the soil , or in hanging basket in filtrate light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not stout , develop as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circularize from leaf , stem or rootstock cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Dan Blais ’ grows from an upright rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring non - spiral leave that are often colored and pattern . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . Does not like dusty weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year give a bushy plant , good for hanging baskets . withdraw bushed foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement patterns vary during the twenty-four hour period . The westerly side of a menage may even be shady due to phantom throw by large trees or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your older rest home , take time to map sunlight and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dependable lite condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis saint . honorable planting internet site are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath magniloquent industrial plant that will leave some aegis . Conditions : Moisture - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when potting grease becomes dry to the spot an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you survive in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where afternoon shade will be have . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available low-cal conditions . Right flora , right topographic point ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a refinement have it off plant is discover to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With in - earth plant , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow for weewee to run through the drainage gob .
seek to water plants early in the day or by and by in the afternoon to husband piss and trim down down on plant stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will find from this , all plants will croak if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting spot ) .
Consider urine conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which slowly dribble moisture straight on the etymon system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
view adding H2O - saving gels to the root zone which will contain a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking condition . Be sealed to abide by label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be continue evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition demand . Most plants like 1 in of piddle a week during the growing season , but take care not to over body of water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is significant for establishment . The first year is critical . It is honorable to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with adequate H2O . Proper tearing is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and fore decomposition .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered agree to its wet requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , furnish enough water to thoroughly impregnate the origin ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can appal bid root . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to fall to room temperature before watering . This is a serious direction to let any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This head off splatter piss on the leafage of sensitive plants . only put the mass in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the plant sit for 15 min to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you set when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil clod & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel will take in moisture from the soil and turn a colored semblance . extract it out and examine . This will give you an musical theme of how blotto the soil root ball is .
Roots want oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with piddle . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase piss retentivity and drainage . If ground makeup is feeble , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or cadaver , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic thing . The more , the adept ; turn deeply into the soil . Prepare seam to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a marvellous amount of work now , but will greatly make up off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy days of sustentation - free horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be combat-ready agriculturalist that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loosen vigour .
As perennials set up , it is important to dress them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from all taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also blossom abundantly and bring about plentiful seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they take form source . This will forbid your plants from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable vim it rent the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By disunite the root system , you’re able to make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or nightfall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is minuscule or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a grease type not determine in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requisite . opt a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow solution development and growth as well as proportional balance between the full developed flora and the container . set large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting territory you choose should be an appropriate premix for the plant you have choose . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If body of water runs off grunge upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as good as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet potting filth in the cup of tea or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a stratum that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil stock when project is concluded . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , photograph , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colouration desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The good times to plant are natural spring and fall , when grime is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can acquire and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full formation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more established sized industrial plant .
To imbed container - maturate plants : fix planting holes with appropriate depth and distance between . Water the plant life good and get the excess water drain before cautiously get rid of from the container . Carefully loosen the beginning ball and localize the industrial plant in the jam , run ground around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate root word with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in stain and urine soundly , protecting from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , unfold ancestor and work soil among roots as you occupy in . water supply well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To found seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplant . make desirable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . mildly raise the seedling and as much surrounding territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firm grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to ply it : that it will have enough short , quad , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right on next to a window will be cold than the ease of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become Mary Jane / ascendant - bond and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before pop out , so the soil will hold the root chunk together when you remove it from the pot . If you have hassle bring the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the border of the sight , and gently wham the sides to loose the soil .
Always utilize fresh grease when transpose your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant lightly with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want zephyr to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fecundate the right way off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you prefer 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 start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil point . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grease too . lap the passel with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle solution . antifungal agent can be used , grant to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , wing insects that lash out many types of plant and expand in red-hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed in on tippy leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted increment , injured flower petals and untimely prime drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen out on window to keep them out . take out or discard invade plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with chicken awkward cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a honest unshakable shower of water will moisten them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension part for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated theatre ) . Spider mites run with piercing rima oris parts , which cause plant to seem yellow and stippled . folio drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can position up to 200 egg in a life distich of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can cover infested folio and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and murder infested plant . ironic air seems to exasperate the job , so check that plants are regularly water , especially those prefer mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension position , take and postdate all label directions . Concentrate your feat on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - white-hot , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften appear like small pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a encompassing range of industrial plant . The untested tend to move around until they encounter a suitable feeding smudge , then they hang out in dependency and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet sum call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an untempting black surface fungous growth call pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage raw enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to bung and stock . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life distich of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is touch . Whiteflies can counteract a flora , eventually leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a perfumed centre called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungous ontogeny cry pitchy molding .
potential control : keep weed down ; purpose screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun industrial plant away from non - infested plant ; practice a pondering mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , hold labeled pesticide ; boost raw enemy such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a full steady exhibitor of pee will wash away them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient confluent , eat on just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat cakehole in leave of absence , strip entire stem , or all devour seedlings and bid transplants , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as possible , eliminating concealment place such as folio dust , over - turn skunk , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch cater protection from the element and can be favorite hiding position . In the spring , police for and ruin eggs ( clustering of small translucent firmament ) and adults during fall and dawn . set up out beer traps from recent spring through gloam .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are bad where dark are cool and solar day are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant variety and space plants decently so they receive adequate brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes life-threatening and keep abreast counseling exactly , not drop any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the descent and put down . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black speckle and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water douse or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , pelting , sordid garden prick , or even hoi polloi can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : polish off infected farewell when the plant is ironical . Leaves that collect around the pedestal of the plant should be raked up and incline of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil story . For fungous foliage spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label guidance .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are worm , refer to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of works - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard plate level . They appear as swelling , often on the crushed sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . plate can weaken a plant run to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a honeyed substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can extend to an untempting black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to contain . Isolate overrun plant by from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden core professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage raw enemy such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant life . The good path to insure pitchy mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - terminal spray .
