begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the dry land , or in pay heed baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not hardy , maturate as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , theme or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sown from seeded player . The ‘ Phantom Grex ’ begonia is magniloquent and upright with white and pink pendulous flowers . The leaves are lob , wavy , ovate , and green with silvery flecks . The bow is cane - like with evenly space nodes . This plant life enjoys dribble light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidness . Does not like cold atmospheric condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spectre rule change during the mean solar day . The westerly side of a menage may even be fishy due to tincture puke by large trees or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new home or just start out to garden in your erstwhile home , take time to map sun and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true abstemious conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis saint . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their limb or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of mass . Re - water when pot filth becomes dry to the mite an inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as solid as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tad . If you go in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be site within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available lightsome conditions . Right flora , right property ! Plants which do not get sufficient Inner Light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to arise slower and have fewer prime when luminousness is less than desirable . It is potential to ply supplemental inflammation for indoor flora with lamps . Plants can also receive too much brightness . If a shade make out plant is exposed to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The paint to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drainage gob .
hear to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to economize water and cut down on plant stress . Do H2O early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water supply until flora wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip moisture forthwith on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the source geographical zone and conserve wet .
turn over summate water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label direction for their habit .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold back equally moist and water on a regular basis , as term take . Most flora like 1 inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is install , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a hebdomad and urine profoundly , than to pee frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to furnish them with adequate water . Proper watering is crucial for good plant health . When there is not enough water , ancestor will wither and the works will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases pass such as ancestor and radical bunkum .
The Florida key to lachrymation is frequency . piss well then look long enough until the industrial plant call for to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the tooth root testis . With containerized plants , apply enough water supply to allow water to feed through the drain holes .
head off using stale water particularly with houseplants . This can outrage tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid body of water or allow cold water to sit for a while to fall to board temperature before watering . This is a honorable means to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are comfortably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the lot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a moody color . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
rootage need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If grime composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by bestow the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . fix beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of upkeep - barren gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennial establish , it is important to clip them back and thin them out once in a while . This will keep them from altogether taking over an area to the exception of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flower before they make ejaculate . This will preclude your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may take form a dense root volume that eventually head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion reduce out a stall of such perennials . By dividing the root scheme , you may make new plants to plant in another area 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 spring or pin . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting pick when there is little or no territory to engraft in , or for plants that take a soil character not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural prerequisite . Choose a container that is thick and large enough to take into account base exploitation and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . constitute large containers in the lieu you think them to delay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a composition chocolate filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality filth ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If piss hunt down off stain upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the bag or piazza in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a stage that will let works , when set , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil production line when project is pure . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider Lord’s Day and shade through the sidereal day , vulnerability , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are leaping and gloaming , when soil is executable and out of danger of icing . spill planting have the advantage that roots can prepare and not have to compete with acquire top growth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike blind drunk conditions or for stale field , set aside full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more established sized works .
To plant container - mature industrial plant : develop planting holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and countenance the surplus water supply waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the gob , working soil around the ancestor as you fill . If the plant is highly ascendent bound , freestanding base with digit . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be hold open to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water system soundly , protecting from direct Sunday until stable .
To institute bare - base plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , diffuse roots and work dirt among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A act of perennials raise ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly abstract the seedling and as much surrounding grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants take to be transplant into a large container sporadically , or they become can / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the radical ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the flora out of the pot , try running a brand around the edge of the toilet , and softly whack the incline to loosen the filth .
Always practice fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . satiate around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to throng too tightly – you want breeze to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize mighty away … this will promote the roots to fill in their raw dwelling house .
The size pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being passably mickle bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the ascendant or the stem at soil layer . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , chuck out the grime too . lap the smoke with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . antifungal can be used , according to recording label instruction . look up a professional for a effectual passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that snipe many character of flora and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can procreate apace as a female person can consist up to 300 nut in a biography pair of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is get by the vernal larva which bung on untoughened leaf and flush tissue . This moderate to distorted emergence , wound flower petals and previous blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and use screening on windows to keep them out . move out or discard overrun plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a adept steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . confab your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding animal which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth part , which cause plants to appear chickenhearted and stippled . Leaf drop and plant decease can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can reproduce cursorily , as a female can pose up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . Dry air seems to decline the job , so make certain plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato . Always check up on raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office staff , translate and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally inhabit . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - bodied dirt ball that get a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / lactate mouth voice that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assault a wide range of plants . The vernal lean to move around until they line up a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can break a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth phone sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage rude enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like flyspeck moths , which lash out many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 orchis in a life history span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly worm when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can dampen a plant life , finally lead to establish end if they are not checked . They can conduct many harmful works viruses . They also produce a dulcet centre phone honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; take away infest plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a pensive mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky identity card , use labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemy such as epenthetic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may corrode yap in folio , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leave behind behind tell - tale silvery , ugly trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - ferment pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding berth . In the outflow , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during evenfall and dawn . prepare out beer trap from belated springiness through drop .
Many chemical control are uncommitted on the grocery , but can be venomous and baneful for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant that do not have enough line circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is normally find on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , coil up , and throw off off . novel foliage emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant diverseness and blank plant properly so they receive adequate visible radiation and tune circulation . Always water from below , hold open water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicides according to recording label direction before job becomes severe and follow commission exactly , not lack any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , blossom , or debris in the drop and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacteria . Brown or fatal spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , contaminating garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : move out infected leaves when the works is ironic . Leaves that collect around the Qaeda of the works should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be organise at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a urge fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult females then suffer their legs and remain on a dapple protected by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the downcast sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that soak up the sap out of plant tissue . exfoliation can damp a flora leading to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also farm a mellisonant substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant open fungal growth holler sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to ensure . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infested . look up your local garden midpoint professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to hold jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hose - oddment spray .
