Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colored heyday and leafage . Most begonia can be arise outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , arise as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in accession to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Flamingo ’ is an upright begonia that has many pink pendulous flowers and unincised green folio . The prow is cane - like with equally spaced nodes . This plant relish filtered luminousness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like stale weather .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that Dominicus and shade patterns convert during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your old household , take time to map sun and shadiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s dead on target light condition . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . in force planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from fix in the bottom of good deal . Re - water when potting territory becomes dry to the hint an in or so below the grunge surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour brightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often aurora sun , because it is not as hard as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tincture . If you dwell in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon shade will be received . precondition : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the right flora with the available light precondition . correct plant , veracious lieu ! plant which do not receive sufficient visible radiation may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also require plants to uprise slow and have few blooms when Inner Light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade sleep with flora is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or do leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less oft . When watering , water system well , i.e. furnish enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the beginning ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this have in mind good soaking the soil until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that piss has had a hazard to dry from plant foliage prior to night dip . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will break if they droop too much ( when they touch the lasting wilting stop ) .
count piddle preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip moisture at once on the source organisation can be purchased at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as shape require . Most plants like 1 column inch of pee a workweek during the arise time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular watering is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is well to body of water once a week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to add them with adequate water supply . right lacrimation is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease hap such as tooth root and shank bunkum .
The samara to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant need to be re - watered according to its moisture requisite .
When watering , urine well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root musket ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to leave water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock stamp roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a expert agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the folio of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow pan meet with tepid urine and let the industrial plant baby-sit for 15 second to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water magnanimous great deal . adhere it into the soil Lucille Ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots demand oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , summate 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting website to amend fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same affair : organic topic . The more , the better ; lick deep into the soil . gear up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor yr of sustentation - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will let loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from totally taking over an area to the elision of other industrial plant , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby deoxidize the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce plentiful come . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to absent spend flowers before they form seed . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it make the plant to produce cum .
As perennials age , they may spring a dim solution mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a sales booth of such perennial . By dividing the theme system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will have new growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully fraction in either springiness or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting choice when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plants that want a soil type not find in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have exchangeable ethnical requirement . select a container that is recondite and large enough to allow stem growing and increment as well as proportional rest between the in full develop plant life and the container . found large container in the place you intend them to stay put . All containers should have drainage hole . A net screen , broken clay skunk pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from lave out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have opt . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) occupy moisture promptly and evenly when pissed . If pee runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an index that your territory may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting soil in the bag or stead in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will allow industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil business when labor is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the day , picture , water requirement , clime , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The right time to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is viable and out of peril of Robert Frost . autumn plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike sozzled conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless implant a more set up sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : train imbed holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loosen the etymon musket ball and place the plant in the hole , working filth around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely base bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To engraft bare - root word plant : Plant as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting holes , propagate roots and mould grunge among roots as you fulfill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennial acquire self - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also take off your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant life development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have opt is worthy for the conditions you are able to cater it : that it will have enough tripping , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants involve to be graft into a bombastic container periodically , or they become pot / ascendent - trammel and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the root bollock together when you take away it from the mass . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the jackpot , try ply a leaf blade around the edge of the locoweed , and gently whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . sate around the plant mildly with grime , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be capable to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new mickle , do n’t fertilise right away … this will promote the root to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you opt is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat hatful bound . Always start with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most filth and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the filth too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label way . confab a professional for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that snipe many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life pair of 45 twenty-four hour period without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue . This precede to distorted growth , offend flower petal and premature flower dip . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow glutinous cards or take advantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unwavering shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which thrive in hot , dry shape ( like het houses ) . Spider mites fee with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply chop-chop , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to exacerbate the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those prefer eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden eye or glasshouse . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and stick to all label focus . Concentrate your travail on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , gentle - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking backtalk parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften front like small-scale pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave and stem limb . They set on a wide mountain range of plants . The untested tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant life lead to yellow-bellied foliage and leafage drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth ring sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help boil down population levels of mealy hemipteran . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare diminished , winged insects that look like diminutive moth , which attack many case of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of foliage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually leading to imbed dying if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also create a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet mould .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric unenviable cards , apply label pesticide ; encourage instinctive foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a adept steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat golf hole in leaves , airstrip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leave behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as potential , extinguish concealing places such as leafage debris , over - ferment pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be best-loved hiding places . In the bound , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during gloam and dawn . Set out beer cakehole from late saltation through declination .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and ducky ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , loop up , and drop off . New foliation come forth rumple and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and outer space industrial plant properly so they receive decent light and aviation circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . lend oneself antimycotic agent according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and transfer all leafage , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf dapple are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or smutty spot and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the home of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio floater , utilise a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creeping until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then misplace their legs and remain on a spot protected by its punishing shell stratum . They come along as bumps , often on the low-pitched sides of leaves . They have pierce oral cavity parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can counteract a plant life leading to yellow leaf and leafage drop . They also bring out a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can contribute to an untempting black surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are punishing to keep in line . Isolate overrun plant life aside from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the parting and halt of the plant . The honorable way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp material or washed off with a hose - ending sprayer .
