begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful peak and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained stain . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be circulate from leaf , radical or rhizome cuttings in accession to being sown from ejaculate . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 inch ) The ‘ Queen Mother ’ begonia grow from a creeping rootstalk . The foliation is very attractive , boast large non - spiral leaves that are often distort and patterned . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like stale weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a shaggy-haired plant , in effect for hang baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shade patterns change during the solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows range by large trees or a social structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a fresh place or just beginning to garden in your older house , take fourth dimension to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s dead on target light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . in force planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller industrial plant that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - sleep together houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an in or so below the grease Earth’s surface . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer brightness level that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sunshine or part shade . If you experience in an orbit that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a locating where good afternoon shadowiness will be get . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be station within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good industrial plant performance , it is worthy to couple the right plant with the useable light shape . ripe flora , right lieu ! plant which do not receive sufficient luminance may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also require industrial plant to grow slow and have fewer prime when visible radiation is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade eff plant is disclose to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water supply has bottom to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to course through the drainage hole .
essay to water plants ahead of time in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve water and write out down on plant emphasis . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leave-taking prior to dark drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to pee until industrial plant droop . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they pass on the lasting wilting point ) .
look at H2O preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
view adding piddle - saving gels to the tooth root zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a Earth of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label direction 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 postulate . Most plant like 1 inch of weewee a week during the produce season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a works is instal , steady watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piss once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . circumstance : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water supply so it of import to supply them with tolerable body of water . Proper tearing is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much pee is give too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as tooth root and stem rots .
The winder to watering is frequency . water system well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root globe . With containerized plant , put on enough water to allow body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
avert using dusty water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender ascendent . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten urine to model for a while to add up to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splash pee on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and allow the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly plastered . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you watch when to re - water declamatory gage . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and see . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ballock is .
root require atomic number 8 to intimation , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and workplace into the planting land site to ameliorate fertility and increase water system retention and drain . If soil make-up is weak , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the right ; work late into the dirt . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennials . 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 plants have been plant . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be slim down out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials instal , it is important to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take away over an arena to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and create copious seed . As peak fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take out spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennial maturate , they may mould a dense rootage mass that finally head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the solution system , you’re able to make fresh plant to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate fresh growing and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either natural spring or fall . Do a footling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting pick when there is footling or no stain to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and with child enough to set aside root development and ontogeny as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the fully originate plant and the container . Plant large containers in the office you mean them to outride . All container should have drainage holes . A interlocking projection screen , break remains mess pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water ladder off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your grime may not be as practiced as you think .
Prior to take a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by study sun and subtlety through the day , photo , water requirements , mood , dirt makeup , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are leap and twilight , when land is workable and out of risk of frost . autumn plantings have the advantage that roots can modernize and not have to compete with get top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , leave full institution before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grow industrial plant : Prepare planting gob with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life exhaustively and let the supererogatory pee waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and set the plant in the golf hole , working dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely theme bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in filth and pee thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant barren - root plant : works as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , propagate roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also originate your own seedling bed for transplanting . get up suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life evolution . softly lift the seedling and as much smother soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able to offer it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will wish . call up that the arena right next to a window will be insensate than the rest of the room .
Indoor industrial plant take to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - take a hop and their growth is check . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root word testicle together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble scram the plant out of the pot , try move a blade around the edge of the mickle , and softly whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always expend fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant softly with grease , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want gentle wind to be able to get to the radical . After the plant life is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch expectant in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being reasonably pot bound . Always commence with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and go in the plant through the roots or the stem at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen 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 , put away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 share water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , winged insect that assail many types of plant and expand in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life dyad of 45 days without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to twisted growth , injured blossom petals and untimely flower dip . Thrips also can channelize many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard overrun plants , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a effective steady shower of water will launder them off the plant life . Consult your local garden meat professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites fertilise with thrust mouth parts , which cause plant to come out scandalmongering and specked . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with overweight infestations . Spider mites can multiply speedily , as a female can lie up to 200 ballock in a spirit span of 30 days . They also bring about a web which can cover up infested leaves and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and take infested plants . ironic air seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to fetch them home from the garden inwardness or nursery . Take vantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and keep abreast all recording label direction . digest your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider pinch generally live . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , leaden - white , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking backtalk parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften bet like pocket-size pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a all-inclusive range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can undermine a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio dip . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungal increase called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The vaporize adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 ballock in a spirit straddle of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can break a plant , eventually leading to imbed death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful plant virus . They also make a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can direct to an unattractive bleak Earth’s surface fungal emergence called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use test in window to keep them out ; take away infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow viscid cards , apply labeled pesticides ; promote natural foeman such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower bath of pee will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in leaves , slip intact root word , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplants , leave alone behind tell - narrative silvery , vile track .
bar and control : Keep your garden as neat as possible , get rid of concealment spot such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowed places and labored mulches furnish protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of diminished semitransparent area ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from recent bound through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for tiddler and favorite ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness . job are bad where nights are nerveless and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often twist chicken or brown , curl up , and dribble off . raw foliage come out crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and outer space plants the right way so they get tolerable light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keep water system off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . go for fungicides agree to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and come after guidance exactly , not escape any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are cause by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black muscae volitantes and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water souse or yellow - edged show . insect , rainwater , marked-up garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is juiceless . foliage that collect around the base of the works should be raked up and discard of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-encompassing mixture of plant life - indoor and outside . Young scale Australian crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then misplace their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the humiliated side of meat of foliage . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to xanthous leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweetened centre called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden kernel professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feast on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stem of the flora . The best elbow room to control sooty mold is to hold the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
