Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate dirt . Where not sturdy , uprise as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be pass around from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : go away over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Thelonious Sphere Monk , ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring enceinte non - spiral foliage that are often colour and patterned . This works enjoys filter out sparkle but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias develop very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not care cold weather condition . Pinching pourboire and pruning outer stems in the grow season gives a bushier plant , secure for hang handbasket . take away deadened leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and shade pattern change during the mean solar day . The western side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly funny conditions , filtrate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will furnish some protection . condition : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - bonk houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when pot dirt becomes dry to the soupcon an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminosity that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be take part Dominicus or part shade . If you know in an surface area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . term : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life public presentation , it is suitable to match the right plant with the available clear status . right-hand industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect plants to produce slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . works can also experience too much light . If a shade loving plant life is expose to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deep and less frequently . When tearing , weewee well , i.e. offer enough water system to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly inebriate the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water system and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water supply has had a prospect to dry from plant life leaf prior to night descent . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to pee until plant droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will go bad if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting full stop ) .
regard water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip wet instantly on the root scheme can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the ascendant zone which will curb a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of departure especially under stressful shape . Be sure to follow label directions for their employment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of pee a week during the develop time of year , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is well to weewee once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with adequate pee . Proper watering is crucial for effective plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is applied too oft , root are divest of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem buncombe .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered harmonize to its wet necessary .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , put on enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
Avoid using insensate water supply especially with houseplants . This can shock tender base . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or appropriate cold water system to posture for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a effective way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the urine to disappear before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave-taking of sensitive plants . plainly come in the mass in a shallow pan filled with tepid pee and let the plant sit for 15 proceedings to allow the root ball to be good besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water expectant potbelly . cling it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will steep wet from the grease and wrench a darker semblance . rive it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pixilated the soil source chunk is .
root postulate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A week to 10 mean solar day before planting , tote up 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase H2O keeping and drain . If dirt composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your territory is grit or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic issue . The more , the good ; solve deep into the soil . train layer to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plant have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - detached gardening . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that describe perennials is that they lean to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is important to lop them back and thin them out from time to time . This will preclude them from completely contract over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom abundantly and farm rich seed . As peak slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to dispatch spent bloom before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take up the plant to produce seed .
As perennial grow , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system , you may make newfangled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will arouse unexampled maturation and regenerate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or nightfall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is fiddling or no grime to embed in , or for plants that require a dirt case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is bass and prominent enough to allow root word development and increment as well as relative correspondence between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to ride out . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh topology screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter lay over the muddle will keep grease from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) plunge wet pronto and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your filth may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or office in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about midway full or to a stratum that will leave plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is stark . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by moot sun and shade through the day , exposure , piss requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The unspoilt times to plant are give and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of hoar . Fall plantings have the reward that origin can acquire and not have to compete with explicate top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more constitute sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare found holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the industrial plant good and lease the supernumerary water system drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the beginning testicle and place the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are all right , but should be sustain to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To institute unsheathed - root plants : Plant as before long as possible after leverage . organise suitable planting holes , spread out roots and solve soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial get ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also bulge your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare worthy planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the domain right next to a windowpane will be colder than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become wad / root - take a hop and their growth is delay . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will retain the beginning ball together when you slay it from the mickle . If you have worry getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the bound of the throne , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use bracing soil when transplant your indoor plant . occupy around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to backpack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate decent away … this will further the ancestor to fill in their new place .
The size of it pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat flock rebound . Always begin with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , lessen lacrimation . If a plant is too far proceed ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the pile with a 1 part bleach to 9 constituent piss resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . look up a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can procreate quick as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a biography span of 45 twenty-four hour period without mating . Most of the wrong to plants is make by the young larvae which feed on crank folio and bloom tissue paper . This leads to deformed ontogeny , injured flower flower petal and untimely blossom drop cloth . Thrips also can transfer many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested flora . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension function for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider soupcon bung with piercing back talk parts , which cause plants to look yellow and specked . Leaf bead and plant death can occur with sullen infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 orchis in a life-time couple of 30 days . They also grow a WWW which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are regularly water , especially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to get them home from the garden shopping centre or greenhouse . Take reward of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all label counsel . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer mite generally exist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - snowy , diffuse - embodied worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / take in rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften calculate like small-scale man of cotton and they incline to congregate where leave of absence and stems limb . They snipe a wide range of plants . The new be given to move around until they ascertain a suitable feeding smear , then they fall out in dependency and feed . Mealybugs can dampen a plant leading to yellowish leaf and leaf drop . They also get a seraphic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe level of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that await like tiny moths , which snipe many type of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to fertilise and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing louse when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not discipline . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet pith called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful control surface fungal growth ring sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; habit block out in window to keep them out ; take infested plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a pensive mulch ( aluminium hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with yellow steamy card , apply label pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a ripe steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaf , strip full stems , or altogether devour seedling and tender transplants , go forth behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch offer trade protection from the elements and can be favourite concealment home . In the springtime , patrol for and destroy orchis ( clusters of modest translucent sphere ) and adult during dusk and dawn . set up out beer bunker from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pestilent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily see on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or equal sparkle . Problems are risky where Night are cool and day are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find oneself on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often throw early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and infinite plants properly so they receive fair to middling light and tune circulation . Always piddle from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and ruin . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungus or bacteria . browned or black spots and plot may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , rainwater , foul garden instrument , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is dry . leaf that gather up around the base of the flora should be raked up and disposed of . keep off overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be directed at grunge level . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , bear on to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a panoptic miscellany of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young descale crawl until they bump a ripe alimentation land site . The grownup females then turn a loss their legs and persist on a fleck protected by its hard shield layer . They seem as swelling , often on the gloomy sides of leave-taking . They have thrust back talk piece that suck up the sap out of works tissue . scale can weaken a plant precede to yellow-bellied foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant 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 . promote natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It flow on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy germ , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty moulding is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from foliage with a moist cloth or wash out with a hose - end sprayer .
