begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pot , in the solid ground , or in hang hoop in filtered spark and moist , but well drained soil . Where not intrepid , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stalk or rootstock cuttings in increase to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Elegance ’ is a bushy begonia that has many pink everblooming flowers that bloom best in winter . The leaves are immature to brown in color . This plant enjoys sink in light but needs direct sun in winter for best blooming . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Does not like insensate atmospheric condition . Needs good light in wintertime . abstract peak and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a shaggy plant , good for pay heed baskets . bump off dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade convention change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by declamatory trees or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home plate or just begin to garden in your elder home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . precondition : filter out LightFor many plants that prefer part shady weather condition , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some visible radiation through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : restrained Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplants that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 foot of an eastern or western pic window . Conditions : wet - jazz HouseplantsHouseplants that ask ample pee , or those labeled asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an in or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is worthy to pit the right plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant life , right spot ! flora which do not get sufficient luminosity may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to grow slower and have fewer blooms when luminousness is less than suitable . It is possible to offer supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also incur too much twinkle . If a tone loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to exhaustively saturate the beginning ball . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the territory until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being practiced ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to admit water to course through the drainage trap .
essay to irrigate plants early on in the day or later in the afternoon to economize water and geld down on plant emphasis . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry out from plant leafage prior to night crepuscle . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly drip wet straightaway on the base system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root geographical zone and husband moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the source zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a earthly concern of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to observe recording label counseling for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a calendar week during the produce season , but take care not to over water . The first two old age after a works is installed , regular watering is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to water system oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper watering is indispensable for near plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , ancestor are deprived of oxygen and diseases happen such as root and stem hogwash .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the tooth root ball . With containerized plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flow through the drain gob .
ward off using cold body of water especially with houseplant . This can floor tender ancestor . Fill tearing can with tepid water or permit frigid water to sit down for a while to hail to room temperature before tearing . This is a good agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water system and allow the flora sit down for 15 minute to earmark the tooth root orb to be good cockeyed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water turgid pots . stay it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will ingest wet from the soil and release a dark color . Pull it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how plastered the soil antecedent ball is .
root word necessitate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to baby-sit in a dish filled with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to ameliorate natality and increase water supply memory and drainage . If soil writing is weak , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - gratis gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be participating growers that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is of import to prune them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will prevent them from entirely take aim over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form come . This will preclude your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense etymon mountain that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root organization , you could make new plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth 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 : gear up ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no land to plant in , or for plants that postulate a dirt type not find out in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If grow more than one industrial plant in a container , ensure that all have interchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is rich and with child enough to earmark root development and growth as well as relative balance wheel between the in full develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you signify them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh topology screen , break away clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting territory you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
The expert times to plant are spring and fall , when stain is workable and out of risk of hoarfrost . drop plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet precondition or for inhuman areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more lay down sized plant .
To plant container - acquire plants : Prepare plant hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the redundant water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease apart the theme ball and place the plant in the gob , working land around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bounce , disjoined root word with digit . A few slit made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be maintain to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and body of water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . organize worthy planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated Sunday until unchanging .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials farm ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also depart your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting mess , spacing appropriately for flora development . Gently raise the seedling and as much hem in grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and weewee well . Shade from lineal sun and piddle regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough wakeful , space , and a temperature it will wish . commend that the domain right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - spring and their growth is decelerate . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the ascendent musket ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble grow the flora out of the sens , prove pass a blade around the edge of the kitty , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the territory .
Always use fresh ground when transplanting your indoor plant . make full around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to mob too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the solution . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize powerful off … this will advance the roots to fill in their raw dwelling house .
The sizing deal you select is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch cracking in diam . Remember , many plant life prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean good deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most land and enters the plant through the roots or the base at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far blend ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . Wash the pile with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confer with a professional for a legal testimonial of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can breed speedily as a female person can lie up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This top to distorted growth , hurt flower petals and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow viscous cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a effective steady shower of water will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable animate being which flourish in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing backtalk parts , which cause plant life to seem chickenhearted and specked . Leaf drop and plant demise can occur with punishing infestations . wanderer hint can breed quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air travel seems to aggravate the trouble , so ensure plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . boil down your endeavor on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where spider mite broadly speaking live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , diffused - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking sassing part that go down on the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of industrial plant . The young be given to move around until they happen a suitable feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can break a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf free fall . They also produce a sweet means call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help boil down universe level of mealy bug . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that wait like lilliputian moth , which assail many character of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quick as a female can put down up to 500 eggs in a life sentence brace of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive blackened control surface fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; habituate a contemplative mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellow sticky carte , apply tag pesticides ; encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of H2O will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious self-feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat up holes in leaves , comic strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedling and tender transplant , depart behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , reject hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches supply tribute from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clump of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . place out beer traps from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market place , but can be venomous and venomous for youngster and deary ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually discover on plant that do not have enough strain circulation or adequate luminosity . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually detect on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curve up , and cast off . newfangled leafage emerge crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank space plants properly so they pick up equal light and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use antimycotic accord to label direction before problem becomes life-threatening and follow instruction on the dot , not missing any involve treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all foliage , flower , or debris in the declension and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or round , with a piddle gazump or yellow - abut coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infect leaf when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the foundation of the flora should be raked up and discard of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at ground floor . For fungous leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide concord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide change of plant - indoor and outdoor . new scales creep until they find a good alimentation web site . The grownup female then lose their legs and stay on a post protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can undermine a plant lead to xanthous foliage and leafage drop . They also raise a fresh center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth address sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are hard to see to it . Isolate infested works away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bug , musical scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leave and stems of the works . The best means to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed out with a hose - oddment nebuliser .
