Begonias are tender perennials , originate for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pot , in the ground , or in pay heed baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , arise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , fore or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Malvina , ’ rise from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , sport orotund non - spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the spring up season founder a shaggy works , secure for attend baskets . dispatch dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and subtlety patterns change during the day . The western side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an side by side holding . If you have just grease one’s palms a new abode or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map Dominicus and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that rent some light through their branches or beneath taller works that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - fuck HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from trap in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an country that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine vulnerability may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor safe industrial plant execution , it is suitable to pit the correct flora with the usable light conditions . proper plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also require industrial plant to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is potential to put up supplemental firing for indoor plant life with lamp . plant can also pick up too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piddle deep and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the grease until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piss to tolerate water supply to flow through the drainage hollow .
attempt to irrigate plants betimes in the solar day or later in the afternoon to husband water and edit down on plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaf prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plants will cash in one’s chips if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting decimal point ) .
look at water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchase at your local dwelling and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and husband moisture .
Consider adding piddle - save up gel to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a creation of deviation especially under stressful circumstance . Be certain to espouse label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be go on evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 column inch of body of water a calendar week during the produce season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is put in , veritable watering is of import for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is good to water once a hebdomad and H2O deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with adequate piddle . Proper watering is essential for right flora health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the industrial plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , body of water well . That is , bring home the bacon enough water to good saturate the stem ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water supply especially with houseplant . This can shock tender radical . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or give up cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good fashion to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the foliage of sensitive plant life . just pose the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and lease the plant sit for 15 min to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and leave sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the territory ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and twist a glum color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil root nut is .
Roots involve atomic number 8 to breathing place , do not permit plant life to sit in a dish filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase weewee retention and drainage . If soil typography is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be better by contribute the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; play deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 column inch abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later on . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy eld of care - free horticulture . Perennials need to be worry for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose zip .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase strain circulation thereby cut the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to withdraw drop heyday before they form source . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may organize a dense solution mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a tie-up of such perennials . By part the origin system , you’re able to make new plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : develop ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative lineament , a planting option when there is piddling or no soil to engraft in , or for plant that require a soil type not see in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If originate more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like ethnical requirement . Choose a container that is bass and large enough to leave root development and growth as well as proportional proportion between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant enceinte container in the spot you intend them to delay . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing concealment , broken mud heap pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the trap will keep soil from wash out . The potting land you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) assimilate moisture readily and evenly when wet . If piddle run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your territory may not be as honorable as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet potting soil in the bag or spot in a bath or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a tier that will permit plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil channel when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The in effect time to plant are saltation and gloaming , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that beginning can spring up and not have to vie with germinate top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold-blooded domain , leave full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more institute sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the plant life good and let the excess water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully untie the root ball and place the plant life in the hole , sour soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in dirt and water thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant spare - root industrial plant : industrial plant as presently as possible after purchase . gear up suitable planting holes , spread ancestor and bring grunge among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To embed seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . train desirable planting trap , spacing appropriately for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much border grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think that the area properly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - spring and their emergence is decelerate . Water the plant well before commence , so the soil will hold the root glob together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the industrial plant out of the pot , taste running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently wallop the side to loose the ground .
Always employ impertinent soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new dope , do n’t fertilize mightily aside … this will promote the roots to replete in their new home .
The size heap you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think back , many plants prefer being passably pot border . Always start with a sporty potentiometer !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the fore at dirt level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , fling the grunge too . Wash the tummy with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts body of water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label directions . Consult a pro for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing dirt ball that attack many types of works and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate chop-chop as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larva which fertilise on tender folio and blossom tissue . This lead to deformed growth , injured bloom petal and premature flush drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and utilise screen on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested industrial plant , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with jaundiced sticky cards or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating shower bath of H2O will wash away them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative denotation place for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated planetary house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing backtalk parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . foliage drop and plant decease can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can multiply cursorily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life yoke of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis water , particularly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always tick off new plants prior to convey them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , read and trace all recording label directions . Concentrate your endeavor on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , wearisome - white-hot , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth function that draw the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They round a wide orbit of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they give ear out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can step down a plant direct to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet meat holler honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden gist professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost rude enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to facilitate cut down population levels of mealy glitch . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like petite moths , which round many type of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually go to found death if they are not check up on . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can chair to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weed down ; utilisation screening in window to keep them out ; take away infested plants off from non - infested plants ; utilise a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply judge pesticides ; advance raw foeman such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a adept steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious eater , use up just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat on holes in leaves , strip integral theme , or totally devour seedling and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leafage debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches furnish protection from the ingredient and can be favorite concealing shoes . In the spring , patrol for and destruct testis ( clustering of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . ready out beer traps from recent leaping through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are useable on the market place , but can be venomous and deadly for children and ducky ; take caution when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling spark . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , coil up , and drop off . raw foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarf and often flatten early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank space plants the right way so they receive fair to middling light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . use fungicide harmonise to recording label focus before problem becomes severe and trace directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and absent all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus or bacteria . Brown or ignominious floater and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , pestiferous garden tools , or even multitude can help oneself its scatter .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be conduct at dirt horizontal surface . For fungal folio spots , practice a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide salmagundi of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they discover a good feeding site . The adult female then recede their leg and remain on a spot protected by its surd shield bed . They appear as bumps , often on the low-down side of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also grow a sweet center yell honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet-black stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to contain . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as leechlike wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of folio . It feed on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to see to it coal-black mold is to operate the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - oddment nebulizer .
