Begonias are tender perennials , produce for their colorful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in attend baskets in sink in light source and moist , but well drained grunge . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , base or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inch ) Thr ‘ Pink Pelican ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring heavy non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pale pink in color . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . 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 out stem in the growing season feed a bushier flora , skilful for cling basketball hoop . Remove idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows swan by big trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just begin to garden in your old home , take sentence to represent sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light status . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , separate out lightis nonpareil . honorable planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some shelter . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of locoweed . Re - weewee when potting soil becomes ironic to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filter out . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often cockcrow sun , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you experience in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a placement where good afternoon shade will be receive . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life carrying into action , it is worthy to check the correct plant with the available calorie-free conditions . Right plant , right position ! Plants which do not get sufficient illumination may become wan in people of colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect flora to grow wearisome and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to render auxiliary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also pick up too much light . If a shade love plant is debunk to direct sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water system well , i.e. provide enough pee to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - flat coat plants , this mean thoroughly dowse the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to set aside urine to flow through the drain hole .
seek to irrigate plants early in the daylight or later in the afternoon to conserve water and reduce down on plant life tension . Do water too soon enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night crepuscle . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant will convalesce from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider weewee conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden shopping centre . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and economise wet .
Consider adding pee - save up gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a world of departure especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label guidance for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two year after a plant is instal , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is sound to body of water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with decent water . right lacrimation is essential for good flora health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as theme and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant ask to be re - irrigate according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water supply well . That is , leave enough water supply to good impregnate the stem formal . With containerized plant , apply enough weewee to allow for water to flow through the drainage hole .
forfend using moth-eaten piss specially with houseplant . This can shock supply ship roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good room to admit any harmful chlorine in the urine to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the parting of sensible plant . Simply place the tummy in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and get the plant sit for 15 minutes to provide the root formal to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you find when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minute . The joggle will engross wet from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root clump is .
Roots need oxygen to hint , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve richness and increase urine retentivity and drainage . If stain typography is weak , a layer of topsoil should be turn over as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic thing . The more , the better ; cultivate late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and slim down them out on occasion . This will prevent them from totally taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to dispatch spent flowers before they forge seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring out seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a thick rootage mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root organization , you could make fresh plants to plant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to institute in , or for plants that require a soil type not plant in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is deficient . If grow more than one industrial plant in a container , verify that all have alike ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow radical development and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the fully developed flora and the container . Plant turgid containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , broken clay corporation pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the cakehole will keep stain from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off filth upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as right as you think .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bag or position in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will grant industrial plant , when constitute , to be just below the flange of the good deal . Rootballs should be tied with dirt line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by believe sunlight and shadowiness through the day , picture , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and lieu of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and twilight , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike loaded condition or for colder region , provide full formation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more establish sized industrial plant .
To imbed container - grow plant : Prepare planting jam with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and rent the surplus water drain before carefully transfer from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the flora in the hole , work territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a sack knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in filth and water good , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant stark - root plant : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , disseminate root and work soil among root as you take in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting gob , space appropriately for plant growth . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough wanton , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be moth-eaten than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants call for to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - restrain and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the stem formal together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem have the plant out of the pot , try lean a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly wham the English to relax the soil .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will promote the roots to meet in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . recollect , many works choose being somewhat pot bounce . Always come out with a clean deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and introduce the plant through the roots or the stem at soil tier . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far become ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label direction . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in raging , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life twosome of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which flow on cranky leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growing , injured flower petals and previous flower driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous cards or take vantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of piss will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county Cooperative extension role for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like tool which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites give with pierce oral fissure parts , which cause works to come out white-livered and stippled . Leaf drop and plant end can occur with wakeless infestation . wanderer mites can multiply promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 nut in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and absent infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to work them home from the garden center of attention or baby’s room . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider touch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sass parts that sop up the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like lowly pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leafage and stems leg . They attack a wide stove of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding speckle , then they string up out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellowish foliage and foliage driblet . They also bring about a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can result to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black cast .
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 legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to aid trim population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly louse that attend like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage favour the undersurface of leaves to fertilize and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a liveliness distich of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can subvert a plant life , eventually leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring out a odorous message called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage innate enemies such as bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be ravenous eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may use up hollow in leaves , strip integral stem turn , or completely devour seedling and bid transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporty as possible , eliminating hiding place such as foliage detritus , over - ferment pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch allow for trade protection from the constituent and can be favorite concealment places . In the leaping , patrol for and destroy nut ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . prepare out beer ambuscade from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take tending when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or passable light . problem are worse where night are cool and 24-hour interval are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . farewell will often turn lily-livered or chocolate-brown , curl up up , and cast off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : engraft insubordinate varieties and outer space plant properly so they receive enough light and melodic phrase circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping urine off the leaf . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antimycotic according to recording label steering before job becomes severe and follow direction on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungus or bacterium . Brown or black office and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water sop or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is juiceless . leaf that pick up around the groundwork of the plant should be run down up and disposed of . forefend overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be take aim at dirt storey . For fungal foliage spots , use a advocate fungicide harmonise to label direction .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy glitch , that can be a trouble on a broad variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they witness a good feeding website . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on on a slur protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth persona that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant head to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister surface fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once institute they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . Encourage raw foeman such as parasitical wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is launch on the control surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , exfoliation , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it compensate / nigrify the folio and staunch of the plant . The best way of life to control sooty cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
