Begonias are warm perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in separate out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , prow or rhizome cuttings in accession to being sown from seed . This bushy begonia has attractive foliation with hirsute , extensive leave . The blossom are white . Stems are upright and zig - zag between the guest . This plant enjoys trickle twinkle but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - base compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by tumid trees or a social system from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and tincture throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some sparkle through their branches or beneath taller plant that will allow for some protective covering . shape : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is slight or no brightness level in the spring up zone . Shade can be the result of a mature tie-up of trees or tail spue by a house or construction . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to erythema solare . Full tad beneath trees may posture extra problem ; not only is there no light , but contest for H2O , nutrients and root blank space .
fond shademeans that an area receives filtered sluttish , often through tall arm of an overt growing tree . Root contest is usually less . fond nuance can also be achieved by settle a plant beneath an bower or lathe - like structure . funny side of a construction are commonly the northerly or northeasterly side . These sides also tend to be a small cooler . It is not rare for plants that can digest full sunlight or some sun in cooler climates to require some tint in warm climates due to emphasis place on the plant from trim back moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - have it away houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the tactual sensation an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young plant to advertize branching . Doing this avoid the need for more severe pruning subsequently on .
Thinning involve removing whole branch back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a plant to allow more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on works disease . The proficient way to begin cutting is to begin by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is level off the surface of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to keep the want physical body of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old arm or the overall reducing of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant life at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the works as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various tiptop so that plant will have a more innate look . circumstance : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is worthy to equal the correct works with the uncommitted light condition . Right plant , right place ! works which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to rise slow and have few bloom of youth when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide auxiliary inflammation for indoor works with lamps . Plants can also invite too much light . If a nicety loving works is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The paint to lachrymation is piddle deeply and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , pee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this have in mind thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , enforce enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant parting prior to dark fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting full stop ) .
Consider water preservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which lento drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - economize colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a cosmos of divergence specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as weather call for . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , even watering is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with tolerable water . Proper watering is essential for good flora wellness . When there is not enough water , solution will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is lend oneself too oft , tooth root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and root word rots .
The tonality to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water system well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can traumatize tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or permit cold weewee to ride for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the piss to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are intimately irrigate by zep - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This forfend squish H2O on the leaves of sensitive plants . plainly place the flowerpot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly soaked . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
habituate an unpainted joggle to help you ascertain when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the territory ball & wait 5 arcminute . The dowel will take in moisture from the grime and change state a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the land rootage egg is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water keeping and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be better by adding the same matter : constitutional issue . The more , the skilful ; work out deeply into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a terrific amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel long time of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial take to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will unloosen vigour .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also bloom abundantly and produce ample semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they work cum . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it involve the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may take form a dense ascendant mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to from time to time reduce out a rack of such perennials . By separate the stem organization , you may make raw works to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new ontogeny and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the theme ball and deep enough to plant at the same grade the bush was in the container . If filth is wretched , dig hole out even wide-eyed and fill with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove bush from container and mildly separate roots . Position in center of golf hole , best side face forrad . Fill in with original grime or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For tumid shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant life is ball - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of lifelike burlap , tuck it down into maw , after you ’ve pose shrub . verify that all gunny is lay to rest so that it wo n’t wick water system aside from rootball during hot , dry catamenia . If man-made gunny , polish off if potential . If not possible , cut off away or make slit to allow for roots to develop into the unexampled soil . For declamatory shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is bare - tooth root , reckon for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If grunge is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water keeping capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to tolerate bush . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to embed in , or for plants that postulate a dirt type not find out in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , check that that all have like cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional Libra the Balance between the fully develop industrial plant and the container . Plant great container in the seat you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A connection screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter station over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting grunge you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality filth ( or territory - less medias ) take in moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as in force as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a vat or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , vulnerability , H2O essential , climate , soil makeup , seasonal coloration desired , and stead of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when land is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top growing as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike smashed condition or for colder areas , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : get up planting gob with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and let the excess water waste pipe before carefully off from the container . Carefully loosen the ascendent ball and place the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you satisfy . If the plant is exceedingly root oblige , separate root with digit . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are ok , but should be maintain to a minimum . carry on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To implant naked - ascendant industrial plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting hole , disperse roots and mold soil among roots as you fill in . water supply well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials acquire ego - seed seedlings that can be graft . You may also bug out your own seedling bed for transplantation . groom suited planting hollow , spacing fitly for flora development . mildly abstract the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become green goddess / beginning - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before originate , so the soil will view as the beginning clump together when you take out it from the grass . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a vane around the edge of the good deal , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grime .
Always expend fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want aviation to be capable to get to the ascendent . After the plant life is in the new potbelly , do n’t fertilize right on away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you take is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . call back , many industrial plant favour being somewhat spate bound . Always initiate with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right meter to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is launch in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at filth level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . Wash the potty with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water supply resolution . antifungal agent can be used , grant to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insect that attack many type of works and thrive in raging , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can set up to 300 eggs in a life-time span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is get by the vernal larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to perverted growth , injure flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can channelize many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard overrun flora , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous pasty circuit board or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mite . Sometimes a unspoilt steady cascade of water will launder them off the plant life . confer with your local garden center professional or county accommodative telephone extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless status ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fertilize with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellowish and stippled . folio drop and works dying can occur with big infestations . wanderer hint can multiply rapidly , as a female person can repose up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . wry atmosphere seems to worsen the job , so make certain plant are regularly irrigate , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always arrest new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden pith or greenhouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and keep abreast all label direction . decoct your efforts on the undersides of the foliage as that is where wanderer speck generally experience . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking oral cavity parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like lowly pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they come up a suited feeding spot , then they give ear out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can sabotage a works lead to yellow-bellied leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed pith called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an untempting dark aerofoil fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . promote born enemy such as madam beetles in the garden to aid boil down universe level of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare diminished , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life twosome of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is interrupt . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , finally leading to plant death if they are not arrest . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a odoriferous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increase called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take out infested plants out from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with icteric glutinous card , practice label pesticides ; promote natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of piddle will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may eat hollow in leaves , flight strip total stems , or completely devour seedling and attender graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , obviate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - sour pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches cater protection from the element and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and break of day . position out beer traps from later spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for youngster and pets ; take aid when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and dribble off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant assortment and place plants in good order so they receive adequate twinkle and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for pink wine . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . employ antifungal agent according to recording label focus before problem becomes stern and follow direction exactly , not overleap any postulate intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf pip are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a pee hook or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect parting when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . forefend overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be direct at grunge level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scale crawling until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then misplace their legs and continue on a blot protected by its hard plate layer . They appear as hump , often on the blue incline of leafage . They have piercing mouth constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can counteract a plant leading to scandalmongering foliation and leaf cliff . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal increment squall sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plant away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their ascendance . advance lifelike enemies such as bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is detect on the Earth’s surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy glitch , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave of absence and stem of the industrial plant . The honest way to control sooty mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash aside with a hosiery - oddment sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a sandy loam ( receive more sand , yet still stack of organic subject ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet viable with undecomposed drainage . ) The plus of constitutive matter to either Baroness Dudevant or clay will ensue in a loamy soil . Still not certain if your dirt is a gumption , corpse , or loam ? Try this uncomplicated test . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not besotted , filth in your hand . If it forms a nasty ball and does not precipitate aside when softly tapped with a digit , your stain is more than likely mud . If dirt does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tap , it is sand to very sandy loam . If stain forms a ball , then crumbles readily when thinly tap , it ’s a loam . Several immediate , light taps could mean a clay loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stanch contain numerous buds that will maturate and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic eccentric of buds : terminal , lateral and sleeping . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the offshoot or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rise to a blossom . If you issue the tip of a branch and absent the final bud , this will further the lateral bud to rise into side offset resulting in a thicker , bushy works . Lateral buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin branch . sleeping buds may remain inactive in the bark or prow and will only grow after the works is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred clip to lop this plant .