Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grow out of doors in bay window , in the ground , or in flow baskets in filtered illumination and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , develop as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be diffuse from folio , stem or rhizome cut in increase to being sown from seed . Big Beauty ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This industrial plant enjoys percolate light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias arise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like inhuman weather . Pinching steer and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove beat foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and shade patterns modify during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow purge by enceinte trees or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new house or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : trickle LightFor many plant that opt partially shadowed conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting situation are under a mid to turgid sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some lighter through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . term : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when pot stain becomes juiceless to the touch an in or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is sink in . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be look at part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon tincture will be received . Conditions : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 invertebrate foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor in effect plant public presentation , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available promiscuous conditions . correct works , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminance may become pale in coloration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out appearance . Also expect plants to produce dim and have few bloom when light is less than worthy . It is potential to furnish supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a shade loving flora is expose to unmediated Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is piddle profoundly and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough weewee to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means soundly pawn the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water to set aside water to run through the drain golf hole .
seek to water plants too soon in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and issue down on plant tension . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will buy the farm if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting head ) .
Consider water supply preservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slow dribble wet straight on the beginning system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and keep up moisture .
regard add water - saving gels to the etymon zone which will hold back a reserve of urine for the plant life . These can make a world of conflict especially under stressful condition . Be sure to conform to label centering for their usage .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as stipulation want . Most works like 1 inch of water system a week during the develop time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is install , regular lachrymation is significant for brass . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with fair to middling urine . Proper watering is of the essence for good works wellness . When there is not enough pee , roots will wither and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is use too frequently , roots are impoverish of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as ancestor and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water supply well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the base ball . With containerized plants , lend oneself enough water supply to allow piss to fall through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water supply especially with houseplants . This can shock legal tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or earmark frigid piddle to sit for a while to hail to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are good irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensible plants . but place the potbelly in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and rent the plant pose for 15 minutes to allow the ascendant nut to be thoroughly pissed . Take out and set aside sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you find out when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker people of colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how blind drunk the soil root ball is .
ancestor need atomic number 8 to breath , do not grant plants to sit down in a saucer fill with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , tot up 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is decrepit , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by add the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . fix beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy year of alimony - free gardening . Perennials need to be wish for just like any other works . One thing that tell apart perennials is that they be given to be fighting agriculturist that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will release vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin out them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely pack over an field to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also blossom profusely and produce plentiful source . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to slay pass flush before they mold cum . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the flora to give rise cum .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense ascendent mickle that eventually result to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a point of view of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make young plants to imbed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or downfall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is short or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that require a ground type not institute in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If mature more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to admit root ontogeny and ontogenesis as well as relative counterweight between the to the full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant big container in the station you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep filth from wash out . The potting territory you take should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when fuddled . If water runs off ground upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to meet a container with grime , wet pot stain in the bagful or position in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . make full container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow flora , when implant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with ground note when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and ghost through the day , photo , water system necessity , clime , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and side of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to engraft are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of hoar . declension planting have the vantage that roots can grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike fuddled conditions or for colder areas , allowing full validation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless imbed a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - raise plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . irrigate the plant good and permit the excess urine drainpipe before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and grade the plant life in the hole , work soil around the antecedent as you fill . If the flora is super root bound , separate base with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . go on occupy in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : flora as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting yap , open roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until static .
To plant seedling : A identification number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space suitably for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are capable to supply it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area decently next to a window will be cold-blooded than the eternal rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants take to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their development is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will arrest the origin orchis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the can , try run a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the stain .
Always utilise smart grease when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with grease , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new lot , do n’t fecundate in good order off … this will encourage the source to fulfill in their newfangled nursing home .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in great in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being slightly pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grime and participate the plant through the root or the stem at land level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far get ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , dispose the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water system answer . Fungicides can be used , concord to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and expand in blistering , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can manifold apace as a female person can position up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is make by the untested larvae which feast on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to malformed increase , wound efflorescence petals and premature blossom free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plant life , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish steamy cards or take advantage of lifelike opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a sound unfluctuating exhibitioner of piddle will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension phone office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated business firm ) . Spider mites prey with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant life to come out yellow and stippled . folio drop and plant death can pass with heavy plague . Spider hint can multiply cursorily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also make a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air travel seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always tick new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden core professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all label focussing . Concentrate your effort on the bottom of the leaf as that is where spider mites by and large live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white , diffuse - bodied insects that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth contribution that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like minuscule pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They attack a broad stove of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding situation , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant extend to xanthous foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting disastrous surface fungous growth call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help boil down population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like tiny moths , which assail many type of plant . The fly grownup microscope stage prefers the bottom of leafage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie down up to 500 testicle in a life history span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can step down a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant dying if they are not jibe . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet means called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growing call sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; function screen in windows to keep them out ; take infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with scandalmongering gluey cards , use label pesticide ; encourage innate enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of pee will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , flight strip total stems , or completely devour seedlings and stamp transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , extinguish hiding places such as folio rubble , over - flex weed , and tarps . Groundcover in louche piazza and heavy mulches provide protection from the ingredient and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and cockcrow . localise out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and pets ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where Night are cool and day are strong and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and throw off off . New foliation emerge crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate diverseness and space plant right so they receive adequate luminance and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicides accord to label direction before problem becomes serious and accompany steering exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf stain are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : bump off infect leave when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at grime level . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide miscellanea of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a in force feeding web site . The grownup females then fall behind their legs and remain on a place protect by its operose shell layer . They appear as blow , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing back talk component that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweetened substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendance . Encourage innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it spread over / blackens the farewell and stems of the industrial plant . The best path to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be pass over from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end spray .
