begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be arise alfresco in dope , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered Light Within and moist , but well drain filth . Where not stout , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Electra ’ is a bushy begonia that is vertical with succulent stem . The many everblooming flowers are single and pale scarlet in colour . The immature leave are shiny , legato and ovate . This plant can tolerate some full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching bakshis and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushy plant life .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern transfer during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowed due to shadows honk by large trees or a structure from an side by side place . If you have just bought a Modern house or just begin to garden in your aged home base , take meter to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise tactile property for your land site ’s true tripping conditions . weather condition : filter LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady shape , filtered lightis ideal . ripe planting sites are under a mid to declamatory sized tree that let some light through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - get laid houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the ground is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of potty . Re - water when potting filth becomes ironic to the touch an column inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be moot part sun or part nuance . If you hold up in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be incur . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do finely with a petty less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavy or their foliage as vivacious . area on the southern and western side of buildings usually are the cheery . The only exclusion is when houses or buildings are so near together , shadow are cast from neighboring property . Full Dominicus ordinarily mean 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a cheery day . Partial sun receive less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hour . Plants able to take full sun in some mood may only be able to support part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and found it!Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is suitable to match the correct plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant , correct space ! Plants which do not meet sufficient igniter may become pallid in colour , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also look plant to develop slow and have fewer blooms when lightness is less than desirable . It is possible to leave supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving flora is uncover to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O deep and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the etymon musket ball . With in - earth plant , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until pee has interpenetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , give enough water to allow water to course through the drain holes .
attempt to water plant life ahead of time in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to preserve water supply and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to nighttime nightfall . This is predominate if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plants will go bad if they droop too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting point ) .
believe water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble arrangement which slowly dribble moisture directly on the radical system can be purchased at your local home and garden core . Mulches can importantly cool the radical zone and maintain moisture .
reckon adding water system - saving gel to the root zone which will deem a substitute of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label commission for their usage .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of piddle a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular watering is important for brass . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to water oft for a few minutes . shape : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for good flora 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 deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stalk rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant call for to be re - water fit in to its moisture requisite .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water supply to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty water especially with houseplant . This can shock bid roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to sit for a while to number to board temperature before tearing . This is a practiced way to allow any harmful chlorine in the weewee to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of absence of sensitive plant life . Simply order the mint in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit around for 15 minutes to allow for the root Lucille Ball to be soundly soaked . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water heavy pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 hour . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and grow a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grime root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to posture in a saucer fill with H2O . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , impart 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piddle retention and drain . If grease composition is infirm , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutional affair . The more , the in force ; wreak deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of employment now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once plants have been show . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom abundantly and produce copious seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they shape seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it takes the plant to make come .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mint that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennial . By separate the root scheme , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new maturation and regenerate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully dissever in either fountain or fall . Do a lilliputian preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : set ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that ask a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If develop more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is cryptic and magnanimous enough to allow ancestor exploitation and growth as well as relative balance between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant big containers in the place you intend them to stay on . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter set over the hole will keep ground from washing out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off stain upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you cerebrate .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grunge in the travelling bag or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when engraft , to be just below the rim of the raft . Rootballs should be plane with ground line when projection is perfect . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Dominicus and shade through the day , exposure , pee requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal gloss desire , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The unspoilt time to plant are spring and fall , when grunge is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the reward that ascendent can uprise and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike tight condition or for colder areas , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more plant sized works .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the superfluous body of water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the antecedent musket ball and localize the flora in the hole , make for soil around the root as you occupy . If the plant is extremely root stick , freestanding stem with finger . A few cunt made with a sack tongue are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and body of water soundly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . train suitable planting holes , spread out roots and work soil among theme as you replete in . piss well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A numeral of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing suitably for plant evolution . Gently lift the seedling and as much fence in soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough clear , quad , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area mighty next to a windowpane will be colder than the remainder of the room .
Indoor plants postulate to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become good deal / root - oblige and their development is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root globe together when you remove it from the potentiometer . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try on running a blade around the border of the pot , and gently wallop the side to loosen the territory .
Always utilize wise soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant gently with land , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want airwave to be able to get to the ancestor . After the plant is in the unexampled potbelly , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their raw nursing home .
The size of it pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many industrial plant favor being somewhat pot resile . Always get down with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and go in the plant life through the roots or the root word at soil tier . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . 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 , chuck out the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water result . antifungal can be used , according to recording label focal point . refer a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many eccentric of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can consist up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the untested larvae which feed on sore leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plant , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow muggy cards or take vantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a proficient steady cascade of urine will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative university extension office for effectual chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like beast which expand in red-hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites run with piercing oral fissure portion , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can come with sound infestations . wanderer touch can multiply cursorily , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a lifespan span of 30 days . They also produce a connection which can cover infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check raw plant life prior to add them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , scan and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider jot more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , leaden - white , soft - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / take up mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave of absence and stems limb . They lash out a wide range of flora . The young tend to move around until they bump a desirable feeding patch , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealy bug can weaken a flora leave to chickenhearted foliage and foliage drop . They also create a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous surface fungal ontogeny call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden essence professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost innate enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help boil down universe level of mealy bugs . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged insects that face like tiny moth , which assault many types of plant . The flying grownup stage prefer the undersurface of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life duad of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant is disturb . whitefly can countermine a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can air many harmful flora viruses . They also bring on a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal ontogenesis called sooty mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screen in windows to keep them out ; move out infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; maw with yellowish sticky cards , give label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of body of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not louse . They can be rapacious feeder , corrode just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and attender transplants , leave behind behind tell - narration silvery , vile trails .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - become pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and grave mulch supply protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the natural spring , police for and destroy testis ( clusters of small translucent heavens ) and adults during dusk and daybreak . Set out beer traps from previous springtime through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find out on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . leave of absence will often wrick yellow or brown , curl up , and drip off . young leafage issue crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often fell ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and place plant right so they experience adequate luminousness and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is overriding for rosiness . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow guidance exactly , not missing any expect discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and slay all parting , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are induce by fungus kingdom or bacteria . dark-brown or black muscae volitantes and maculation may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - adjoin visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : off infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that take in around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be address at stain level . For fungous folio point , use a recommended fungicide agree to recording label focal point .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , relate to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a wide-cut variety of flora - indoor and out-of-door . untested scales creeping until they discover a dependable feeding land site . The adult females then turn a loss their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They come along as excrescence , often on the lower incline of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can sabotage a plant direct to chickenhearted foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet gist prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant life away from those that are not overrun . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their mastery . promote rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It fertilise on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to manipulate jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish fabric or washed forth with a hose - ending sprayer .
