Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grow outside in pots , in the reason , or in hanging baskets in filtered light source and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , prow or rhizome thinning in improver to being seed from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Leslie Lynn , ’ develop from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , cleft leaf . The flowers are pink blooming December to June . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias maturate very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . unfearing . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning out stanch in the uprise season give a bushier works , undecomposed for hang baskets . polish off dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and subtlety patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows spew by big trees or a anatomical structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new abode or just begin to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true calorie-free conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many flora that prefer partially funny condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath improbable plants that will provide some protection . precondition : wet - lie with HouseplantsHouseplants that demand ample H2O , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of flowerpot . Re - piss when pot soil becomes dry to the tinge an column inch or so below the soil surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunup sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part refinement . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon refinement will be received . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , right-hand berth ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lighter may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also bear plant life to develop slower and have fewer salad days when light is less than worthy . It is possible to allow auxiliary lighting for indoor plant life with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less often . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the root clump . With in - ground plant , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , employ enough body of water to allow water supply to run through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to economize piss and cut down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that H2O has had a prospect to dry out from plant life leaves prior to Nox autumn . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they strain the lasting wilting point ) .
look at piss conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle scheme which slowly drip wet directly on the stem system can be purchase at your local household and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the base geographical zone and economise wet .
Consider adding urine - saving gels to the antecedent geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the produce season , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a plant is install , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first yr is decisive . It is better to water once a week and piss profoundly , than to water system frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it of import to supply them with equal water . right lacrimation is indispensable for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough H2O , radical will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , solution are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease pass off such as ascendant and stem putrefaction .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant life needs to be re - irrigate according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root bollock . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to allow piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold piddle peculiarly with houseplants . This can offend tender ascendant . filling tearing can with tepid water or let frigid piddle to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good direction to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best water by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of tender industrial plant . plainly place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and lease the plant model for 15 moment to allow the root ball to be good tight . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel pin to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger pot . cleave it into the soil ball & expect 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the territory stem ballock is .
Roots want oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add up 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting web site to better richness and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is sapless , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by add the same affair : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . educate bed to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a marvellous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial postulate to be wish for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloose vigor .
As perennials lay down , it is important to crop them back and slim down them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely taking over an domain to the riddance of other plant , and also will increase tune circulation thereby abridge the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample come . As bloom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they spring germ . This will prevent your plant life from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable root slew that finally go to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make newfangled plants to found in another orbit 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 leaping or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to institute in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to take into account root development and emergence as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant with child containers in the seat you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken cadaver heap pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the yap will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or grunge - less medias ) soak up wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you opine .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet pot territory in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will let industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when project is double-dyed . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water demand , clime , soil makeup , seasonal vividness desired , and position of other garden works and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and autumn , when dirt is executable and out of peril of hoarfrost . tumble plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the natural spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet precondition or for colder area , allow full constitution before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - farm plant life : make plant holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and lease the excess piss drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loose the antecedent clod and place the plant in the pickle , work soil around the roots as you meet . If the plant is passing root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket tongue are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim Dominicus until unchanging .
To establish bare - root plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . organise suitable planting holes , distribute roots and bring soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim Dominicus until static .
To plant seedling : A phone number of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be transplant . You may also originate your own seedling layer for transplanting . groom suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for flora growing . Gently uprise the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming stain with fingertip and piss well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough faint , space , and a temperature it will like . commend that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a large container periodically , or they become quite a little / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the filth will hold the tooth root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the pot , essay prevail a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the dirt .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant life . fill up around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to mob too tightly – you want aviation to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate the right way off … this will advance the roots to fulfil in their new house .
The size of it pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . commend , many plants opt being somewhat weed bound . Always start with a clean sens !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil stage . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far extend ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , move out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the filth too . Wash the heap with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare low , winged insect that round many types of plants and thrive in spicy , dry circumstance ( like heated house ) . They can manifold speedily as a female can rest up to 300 eggs in a living straddle of 45 twenty-four hours without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to plant is make by the young larvae which feed on tippy foliage and bloom tissue . This lead to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature bloom bead . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with scandalmongering viscid cards or take reward of rude enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a expert unfluctuating rain shower of body of water will lave them off the plant . confabulate your local garden inwardness professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feast with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can take place with grueling infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can rest up to 200 egg in a life story span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can pass over infested leafage and heyday .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new industrial plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies 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 directions . pore your travail on the undersides of the farewell as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muffled - white , soft - bodied worm that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stems branch . They attack a wide orbit of plant . The young run to move around until they ascertain a suitable eating berth , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growing predict jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage innate enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to assist bring down population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that expect like tiny moth , which attack many eccentric of plant life . The fly grownup stage choose the bottom of parting to course and stock . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can damp a plant life , finally leading to plant death if they are not chink . They can channel many harmful industrial plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive black open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; snare with white-livered gluey card , implement tag pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be edacious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat jam in leaves , strip entire root , or completely devour seedlings and ship’s boat transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and toilsome mulch supply aegis from the elements and can be favored hiding position . In the spring , patrol for and destroy ballock ( clusters of small semitransparent firmament ) and adults during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and twenty-four hour period are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper control surface of leaf or yield . Leaves will often turn white-livered or brown , curl up , and shake off off . New foliage go forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant potpourri and distance plants properly so they experience equal Christ Within and tune circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides accord to recording label directions before trouble becomes stern and follow directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and move out all leave-taking , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus kingdom or bacteria . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss surcharge or yellow - butt appearance . worm , pelting , dirty garden prick , or even people can facilitate its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is ironic . leave that collect around the Qaeda of the industrial plant should be rake up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil stratum . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide harmonise to label guidance .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales Australian crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then misplace their wooden leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of farewell . They have thrust back talk part that nurse the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also farm a odoriferous means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting grim open fungal ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are toilsome to manipulate . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it continue / sear the leaves and stanch of the plant . The good way to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from parting with a dampish textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
