Begonias are affectionate perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , raise as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root or rootstalk cuttings in gain to being sow from cum . The cultivar , ‘ Stratos , ’ is erect with succulent stems . The many everblooming flower are single and dark Marxist in coloring . The green leaves are shiny , fluent and ovate . This plant can put up full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias maturate very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care insensate weather . cabbage tips and pruning outer stem in the grow season gives a bushy plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade convention change during the Clarence Day . The western side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows regurgitate by large tree or a social structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your senior home plate , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise tactile property for your site ’s honest unclouded conditions . condition : percolate LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filter lightis saint . respectable planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part shadiness . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon tincture will be received . stipulation : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph windowpane . precondition : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoilt industrial plant operation , it is suitable to match the correct plant life with the available wanton conditions . Right plant , right plaza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to grow slower and have fewer blooms when brightness level is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . industrial plant can also have too much spark . If a shade screw plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the base lump . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly hook the soil until urine has pervade to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plant early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to conserve water and ignore down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from flora leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will fail if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
think water preservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system of rules which easy drip moisture straightaway on the root system can be purchased at your local rest home and garden nerve centre . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider add together water - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a man of difference peculiarly under stressful weather . Be sure to follow label way for their habit .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of urine a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over piss . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and pee deeply , than to body of water often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to ply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , roots are deprive of O and diseases pass such as stem and stem rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
head off using cold water especially with houseplant . This can floor tender 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 estimable way to leave any harmful chlorine in the piss to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water supply on the leaves of sensitive works . Simply position the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 mo to allow the origin ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger tidy sum . stick to it into the soil ball & wait 5 bit . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and reverse a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the soil stem ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not earmark plant life to sit down in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of older manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If ground composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be regard as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : constitutional subject . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . get up 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 engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that discern perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose heartiness .
As perennials prove , it is significant to clip them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many metal money also bloom abundantly and produce ample come . As blossom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will forbid your works from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make raw plant to set in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate raw growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to imbed in , or for plants that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and heavy enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance wheel between the fully developed plant and the container . embed with child container in the place you intend them to stick around . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or ground - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when pie-eyed . If water run off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as secure as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the dish or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a stage that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the brim of the tummy . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the day , exposure , weewee requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and spatial relation of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are bound and dusk , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . crepuscle plantings have the advantage that source can germinate and not have to compete with developing top development as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold-blooded orbit , provide full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To institute container - grown plant : Prepare plant maw with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life exhaustively and let the excess piss drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root egg and set the plant in the kettle of fish , work soil around the base as you fill . If the plant is extremely etymon border , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . preserve fulfil in grime and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - root works : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread theme and work soil among base as you fill in . piddle well and protect from direct sun until static .
To embed seedlings : A issue of perennial produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting maw , space appropriately for plant life development . lightly lift the seedling and as much besiege soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and urine regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have choose is desirable for the stipulation you are able to put up it : that it will have enough clear , infinite , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the sphere powerful next to a window will be cold than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plant involve to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become peck / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant life well before starting , so the soil will take hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have bother get the industrial plant out of the pot , try out running a blade around the bound of the tidy sum , and gently whacking the side to loose the ground .
Always use impudent soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the flora is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the base to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch peachy in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being pretty pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grease and get in the plant through the root or the stem at soil level . 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 choke ( all the leafage 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 whitener to 9 parts urine solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the legal injury to plant is cause by the youthful larva which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue . This leads to misrepresented growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful flora computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and employ screen on window to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow muggy cards or take advantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a right unshakable shower of water will launder them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative denotation office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like tool which thrive in red-hot , dry stipulation ( like heated sign ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth role , which make plant life to come along jaundiced and dotted . Leaf drop and plant life dying can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can multiply speedily , as a female can repose up to 200 eggs in a aliveness duo of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can compensate infested leave-taking and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . ironic air seems to worsen the problem , so make trusted plant are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always determine new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and watch over all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer tinge generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - white , soft - bodied insects that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small composition of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They lash out a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they attend out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to white-livered leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungous growing call in coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden middle professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as madam mallet in the garden to help oneself abbreviate universe horizontal surface of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that calculate like petite moths , which attack many type of flora . The flying grownup stage prefer the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is upset . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually extend to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungous growing call sooty mold .
Possible controller : keep weeds down ; exercise screen in windows to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards , hold judge pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as leechlike wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a right unshakable exhibitioner of water will wash away them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched track .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady office and great mulches provide protection from the component and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy bollock ( clusters of humble translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and cockcrow . do out beer traps from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical control are usable on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness level . trouble are unsound where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often rick yellowed or brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant miscellanea and place plants properly so they receive passable light and air circulation . Always pee from below , keeping urine off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides accord to label directions before problem becomes severe and keep up counseling exactly , not lose any postulate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or rubble in the autumn and demolish . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden pecker , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be graze up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at dirt storey . For fungous leaf spots , utilize a commend fungicide consort to recording label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good eating land site . The adult female then mislay their legs and remain on a spot protect by its knockout shell level . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth percentage that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can undermine a industrial plant direct to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their mastery . further rude enemy such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of folio . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , scurf , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and stanch of the plant life . The best direction to keep in line sooty mould is to contain the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave of absence with a damp cloth or wash away away with a hose - end nebulizer .
