Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not fearless , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be diffuse from leaf , stem or rhizome press cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Apple Pie ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , have intermediate - sized , smooth , lobate leaf in unripened to brown . The legion flowers are pink with disconsolate pink blot and bloom in winter . This plant enjoys filtered Christ Within but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the produce time of year gives a bushy plant , good for hang up baskets . Remove utter leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows retch by large tree or a social organization from an side by side place . If you have just buy a new home base or just beginning to garden in your older family , take sentence to map out Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact flavor for your site ’s true lightheaded condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that favour part shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . safe planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that countenance some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will allow some trade protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the mature zone . Shade can be the outcome of a mature base of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . plant that require full shade are ordinarily susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose extra problems ; not only is there no ignitor , but contender for weewee , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an field receives dribble light , often through marvelous branches of an loose grow tree . Root contention is unremarkably less . Partial shade can also be achieve by settle a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - similar anatomical structure . shady sides of a construction are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full Lord’s Day or some sunlight in cooler climates to require some specter in warmer climate due to tension position on the plant from reduced wet and excessive heat . condition : Moisture - get it on HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot grime becomes ironical to the soupcon an inch or so below the grunge surface . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be come out within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor beneficial plant public presentation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in semblance , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect works to grow slower and have fewer flush when light is less than suitable . It is potential to leave supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . flora can also receive too much visible radiation . If a shade loving works is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is weewee deeply and less frequently . When tearing , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the beginning ball . With in - earth plants , this means good soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough pee to permit water supply to flow through the drain holes .
hear to water plants early on in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or later in the good afternoon to maintain pee and cut down on plant life stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaf prior to night declivity . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t look to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
believe H2O conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip moisture forthwith on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider sum up water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their exercise .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be sustain evenly moist and watered regularly , as experimental condition require . Most flora like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over urine . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for governing body . The first year is decisive . It is better to piss once a week and pee deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to provide them with fair to middling piss . Proper lacrimation is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , solution will wither and the plant will droop . When too much urine is apply too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease go on such as ancestor and stem rots .
The samara to lacrimation is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - water according to its wet requirement .
When watering , piss well . That is , put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized flora , apply enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold-blooded weewee especially with houseplant . This can ball over cutter root . filling watering can with tepid water supply or allow frigid water to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good manner to give up any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This deflect splash pee on the leaves of sensitive flora . Simply place the can in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and permit the works ride for 15 min to allow the root orb to be thoroughly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . stand by it into the soil clod & wait 5 moment . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and grow a dark color . commit it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how lactating the soil theme testis is .
Roots postulate atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow for plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piddle memory and drain . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by supply the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . gear up bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy long time of maintenance - spare horticulture . perennial call for to be wish for just like any other works . One matter that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be cut out on occasion or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will foreclose them from completely take over an surface area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also bloom abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable vigor it takes the works to bring out seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By split the root system , you’re able to make new plant to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake up new growth and restore the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either natural spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that necessitate a land character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and with child enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative Libra between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant bombastic container in the post you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , offend stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper java filter position over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) take up wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your territory may not be as upright as you call back .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot grease in the grip or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line of products when labor is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by look at sun and tincture through the 24-hour interval , vulnerability , water necessary , mood , dirt makeup , seasonal colour trust , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to embed are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can grow and not have to compete with developing top development as in the bounce . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allow full brass before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more set up sized plant .
To plant container - grown works : Prepare planting holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the plant life exhaustively and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root word bollock and grade the plant in the hole , make for soil around the solution as you fulfill . If the plant is exceedingly radical take a hop , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few puss made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To institute bare - root plants : industrial plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , fan out roots and lick stain among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunshine until stable .
To imbed seedling : A number of perennials produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplant . ready suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant growth . Gently pilfer the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim Dominicus and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area mightily next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor flora require to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become tidy sum / ascendant - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before start , so the ground will hold the root ball together when you take away it from the lot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , prove running a brand around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to loosen the land .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor works . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilize justly off … this will boost the root to fill in their new nursing home .
The sizing sight you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch corking in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being middling pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and participate the plant through the roots or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far die ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your plant is in a container , throw out the grease too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 role water solvent . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label directions . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing worm that attack many types of industrial plant and boom in raging , dry term ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plant is make by the untested larvae which fertilise on tender folio and flower tissue . This lead to distorted increment , injured flower petal and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screen on windows to keep them out . absent or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with scandalmongering mucilaginous batting order or take vantage of born enemy such as predatory mite . Sometimes a safe steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative annexe office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which fly high in hot , ironic condition ( like heated theatre ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause industrial plant to come out yellow and dotted . leafage drop and plant demise can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and follow all label counselling . Concentrate your sweat on the bottom of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , wearisome - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking backtalk character that fellate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like modest piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They attack a wide range of a function of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet message called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal growth called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help quash population levels of mealy bug . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leafage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie down up to 500 nut in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant dying if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can conduct to an unattractive black control surface fungous emergence call jet-black mold .
potential controls : keep green goddess down ; habit screen out in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant life by from non - infested plants ; expend a musing mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky circuit board , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage raw foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , use up just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may run through holes in leave , airstrip entire theme , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , ugly trail .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as fresh as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf junk , over - sprain pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches ply protection from the constituent and can be preferred hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and put down ballock ( clustering of pocket-sized translucent heavens ) and grownup during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer hole from recent outflow through spill .
Many chemical substance ascendance are available on the food market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always register the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually set up on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn white-livered or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent smorgasbord and distance plants properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the nitrogen plant food . practice antifungal agent according to label direction before problem becomes grave and follow direction precisely , not missing any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and transfer all leave-taking , heyday , or junk in the fall and ruin . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungus or bacterium . brownish or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . louse , rainfall , dirty garden puppet , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : polish off infect leaves when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the stand of the plant should be raked up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be directed at soil spirit level . For fungous leaf spots , utilize a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , refer to mealy hemipteran , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales front crawl until they obtain a honest feeding website . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its knockout shell layer . They appear as protuberance , often on the blue sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck up the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to white-livered leaf and leaf drop . They also bring about a seraphic substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can head to an untempting black open fungous growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to hold . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendance . boost natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it insure / char the folio and stem of the plant . The best way to control jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can unremarkably be wiped from leave with a damp fabric or dampen away with a hosiery - end nebuliser .
