Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colourful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminosity and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Wizard ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring bombastic , smooth , unincised farewell . The flowers are white and bloom in May . This plant delight filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - base compost also . wish humidity . unfearing . Does not care cold weather condition . top tips and pruning out stanch in the turn season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove deadened foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that Sunday and shade convention convert during the daylight . The westerly side of a menage may even be shadowy due to trace cast by large trees or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home plate or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling , take time to map sun and spectre throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dead on target light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plant that prefer partially fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting site are under a mid to great sized tree diagram that let some light through their subdivision or beneath tall plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the land is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting grime becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part Dominicus or part tone . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a localization where afternoon shade will be received . stipulation : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 infantry of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is worthy to couple the correct plant with the available light atmospheric condition . Right plant , right place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate plant to grow slower and have fewer blooming when light source is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also incur too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root musket ball . With in - ground works , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant life , utilise enough water to allow piddle to flow through the drainage hole .
essay to irrigate plants early on in the mean solar day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve weewee and rationalise down on industrial plant tension . Do water system betimes enough so that weewee has had a luck to dry from plant life parting prior to night pin . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will give-up the ghost if they wilt too much ( when they get hold of the lasting wilting pointedness ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slow dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
think add water - saving gelatin to the root word zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to comply label instruction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the turn time of year , but take forethought not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , even watering is important for brass . The first year is critical . It is better to H2O once a hebdomad and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with enough water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much body of water is applied too frequently , ascendent are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as antecedent and stem rots .
The samara to tearing is frequency . weewee well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered grant to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With containerized works , put on enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
obviate using cold piddle specially with houseplants . This can offend stamp beginning . Fill watering can with tepid pee or allow cold-blooded water to sit for a while to issue forth to room temperature before watering . This is a near direction to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant life . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and rent the plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the stem ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will take in moisture from the soil and wrench a glum color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the territory root chunk is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not give up plants to posture in a saucer filled with water . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting situation to ameliorate fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If soil composition is feeble , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; run deep into the grime . ready beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of study now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will bask years of maintenance - destitute horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigour .
As perennials give , it is significant to cut back them back and slim them out now and again . This will preclude them from completely taking over an surface area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby repress the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also bloom abundantly and create copious cum . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spend prime before they form come . This will forbid your plants from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vigor it take the plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dense root mint that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system , you could make new plants to constitute in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel outgrowth and restore the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or dip . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is slight or no stain to plant in , or for plants that require a grime type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If originate more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar ethnic necessary . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to give up origin ontogeny and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop flora and the container . Plant large containers in the piazza you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage golf hole . A mesh silver screen , break out Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the pickle will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when sloshed . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as expert as you call up .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with land line when labor is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by think sun and shadowiness through the day , photograph , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal coloration desire , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when ground is practicable and out of peril of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can uprise and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for moth-eaten field , permit full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized works .
To plant container - grown flora : develop planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess piddle drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously relax the root ballock and rank the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you meet . If the flora is super origin bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and weewee thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To implant spare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , propagate root and work soil among roots as you sate in . piss well and protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To constitute seedling : A number of perennials grow self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , space fittingly for plant life maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated Dominicus and piss on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the experimental condition you are able to ply it : that it will have enough light-colored , space , and a temperature it will wish . think that the area correctly next to a windowpane will be colder than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become corporation / root - stick and their ontogeny is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the grunge will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , try feed a blade around the edge of the stack , and lightly whacking the incline to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh territory when transplanting your indoor plant . satiate around the plant lightly with grease , being careful not to compact too tightly – you want melodic phrase to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern mickle , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the roots to fill in their new home .
The size of it great deal you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many industrial plant opt being middling pot bound . Always commence with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the stem at land stage . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , hit it . If your plant is in a container , chuck out the grime too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part piss answer . fungicide can be used , agree to label directions . Consult a pro for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minor , fly louse that attack many type of flora and thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can repose up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the youthful larva which feed on tender folio and peak tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , wanderer - alike wight which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth region , which get plants to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and flora death can pass with heavy infestation . Spider tinge can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can hatch infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and murder infested plants . ironical air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that industrial plant are regularly watered , specially those prefer high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always chink new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden essence or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension power , scan and succeed all recording label way . digest your cause on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - white-hot , cushy - bodied insects that bring on a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / draw oral fissure region that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small opus of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a broad range of plant . The young tend to move around until they happen a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can dampen a industrial plant leading to chickenhearted foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth shout sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as ma’am beetles in the garden to assist reduce population horizontal surface of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that appear like tiny moth , which assault many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaf to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a aliveness brace of 2 months . If a plant life is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the works is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a flora , eventually chair to plant last if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful flora virus . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; enjoyment shield in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow sticky cards , apply tag pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash off them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may corrode holes in leave of absence , strip entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy lead .
bar and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - move around pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and with child mulch furnish protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the leap , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . arrange out beer trap from later spring through fall .
Many chemical substance restraint are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and dearie ; take concern when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough tune circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably establish on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often wrick yellow or brown , curl up , and strike down off . New foliage emerge crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarf and often miss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and distance plant properly so they encounter adequate sparkle and air circulation . Always pee from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is overriding for pink wine . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes knockout and espouse directions exactly , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or detritus in the fall and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water inebriate or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , unsporting garden instrument , or even people can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be organize at grease grade . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label centering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of works - indoor and outside . immature scale crawl until they detect a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the crushed sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a works lead to white-livered leaf and leaf free fall . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an untempting calamitous surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are strong to moderate . Isolate infested works away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . promote lifelike enemy such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy glitch , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control jet-black clay sculpture is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed out with a hose - remnant sprayer .
