Begonias are cranky perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in green goddess , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered twinkle and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , spring up as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagate from folio , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leave under 3 in ) The ‘ Psyche ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature small-scale , lobed leaf . The flowers are pinkish to white , blooming spring through summer . This plant savour filtered light but can take some sunshine in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidity . sturdy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . withdraw dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade rule change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows regorge by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just buy a new home or just start out to garden in your older house , take time to map sun and tint throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true light conditions . Conditions : sink in LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . salutary planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some igniter through their branches or beneath tall plant that will bring home the bacon some protection . experimental condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that demand sizeable water , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from pickle in the bottom of jackpot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the stain open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighting that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as stiff as afternoon sun , can be look at part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be fine . In other expanse such as Florida , flora in a locating where afternoon subtlety will be received . experimental condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly exposure window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to agree the correct plant life with the available light conditions . good plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient Light Within may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect works to grow slow and have few efflorescence when light is less than desirable . It is possible to allow for supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also take in too much light . If a tad loving plant is bring out to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , body of water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - terra firma plants , this means thoroughly soaking the land until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to let water to run through the drain yap .
try out to irrigate plant early in the 24-hour interval or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve urine and cut down on plant life accent . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from works leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pass if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip wet at once on the theme system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden substance . Mulches can significantly chill the base zone and preserve wet .
count adding weewee - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a substitute of water for the flora . These can make a world of remainder especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is authoritative for organisation . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a week and H2O deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it crucial to render them with passable pee . Proper lacrimation is essential for good flora health . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as ancestor and stem rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . body of water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate according to its wet demand .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root formal . With containerized plants , go for enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using frigid H2O especially with houseplants . This can shock bid radical . Fill watering can with tepid water or earmark cold body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a effective way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of tender plants . but point the passel in a shallow pan filled with tepid water supply and let the plant sit for 15 mo to provide the root chunk to be soundly wet . Take out and provide sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help you regulate when to re - water larger raft . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 mo . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker coloring . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil root Lucille Ball is .
Roots necessitate atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit in a disc fill up with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , lend 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to better birthrate and increase body of water keeping and drain . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the honorable ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch bass 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 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 enjoy years of upkeep - free gardening . perennial require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that signalise perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials give , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely consider over an country to the riddance of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring on rich seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder spent flowers before they form ejaculate . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce source .
As perennials age , they may form a dumb root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the tooth root organisation , you could make new plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growing and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a footling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is short or no soil to plant in , or for flora that take a dirt eccentric not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If arise more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have interchangeable cultural requirement . prefer a container that is inscrutable and tumid enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully modernize works and the container . Plant turgid container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken cadaver heap pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter localise over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is all over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that ancestor can develop and not have to vie with developing top ontogenesis as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for insensate surface area , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To embed container - grown plants : Prepare planting fix with appropriate depth and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the stem ball and place the plant life in the gob , make land around the root as you fill up . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . remain filling in ground and water system good , protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant stripped - root industrial plant : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . set up suitable planting holes , circularise ancestor and ferment soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sunshine until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant evolution . Gently repeal the seedling and as much skirt soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and body of water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant 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 . Remember that the area decent next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become pile / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the source orb together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try move a blade around the border of the slew , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant lightly with grease , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire airwave to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t feed right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch keen in diameter . Remember , many industrial plant favour being slightly pot bound . Always commence with a clean Mary Jane !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many type of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quick as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a liveliness span of 45 sidereal day without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which run on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky calling card or take reward of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a safe steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office staff for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in live , dry condition ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . Spider mites run with piercing mouth parts , which make plant life to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can pass with profound infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also raise a internet which can breed infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic air travel seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato plant . Always check novel plant prior to bring them home from the garden substance or nursery . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . condense your efforts on the bottom of the leave as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / absorb mouth section that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften appear like minuscule pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a broad range of plants . The young tend to move around until they incur a suitable feeding place , then they hang out in Colony and provender . mealybug can subvert a plant leading to jaundiced leafage and folio free fall . They also bring forth a scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal increment called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage instinctive enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help slim universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which snipe many type of works . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life sentence duad of 2 calendar month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is interrupt . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful plant virus . They also produce a cherubic substance name honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting fateful surface fungous maturation called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; absent infested plant away from non - infested plants ; expend a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; maw with chickenhearted viscous cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost instinctive enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water system will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may feed holes in leaf , strip entire bow , or completely devour seedling and tender organ transplant , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing place such as leaf debris , over - turned flock , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and great mulch provide protective cover from the element and can be favorite concealing post . In the spring , patrol for and destroy orchis ( clusters of small semitransparent arena ) and adults during crepuscle and sunrise . Set out beer traps from later outflow through gloaming .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and venomous for children and pet ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often twist white-livered or brown , curl up , and omit off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant form and distance plant properly so they receive adequate twinkle and air circulation . Always pee from below , continue water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label focal point before trouble becomes knockout and keep up direction just , not missing any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leave , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf office are cause by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or pitch-black office and plot may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dingy garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected folio when the plant is dry . Leaves that accumulate around the foundation of the plant should be rake up and discard of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be send at filth level . For fungous leafage blot , use a commend fungicide harmonise to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good alimentation situation . The adult female then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come out as hump , often on the humiliated sides of leaves . They have piercing backtalk parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can de-escalate a industrial plant lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their ascendence . advance instinctive enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / black the foliage and stems of the industrial plant . The best style to manipulate sooty mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp cloth or washed off with a hosiery - end sprayer .
