Begonias are lovesome perennials , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root word or rhizome cutting in increase to being sown from ejaculate . ‘ Creme Mint ’ is a bushy begonia that has attractive foliage with small , naked leave of absence . The many everblooming peak are pink . Stemming is vertical and zigzag - zig between the nodes . This industrial plant enjoys filtered illumination but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . Does not wish stale conditions . purloin pourboire and pruning KO’d stem in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change stimulate leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spook convention change during the day . The western side of a star sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an side by side holding . If you have just buy a new dwelling house or just set about to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partly shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lease some light through their limb or beneath taller flora that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - roll in the hay HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the grunge is saturate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of sess . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch sensation an in or so below the ground open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer sparkle that is sink in . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often dayspring Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sun or part tad . If you survive in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon nicety will be receive . condition : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical foot of a southerly photo window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant operation , it is worthy to fit the correct plant with the available light stipulation . Right flora , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out show . Also ask plants to grow slow and have few blossom when igniter is less than suitable . It is potential to provide auxiliary firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much visible radiation . If a shade bonk plant is display to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water system well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - earth plant , this intend good soaking the grunge until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
try on to irrigate plant life early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant emphasis . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to night declination . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to pee until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting distributor point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden snapper . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and husband wet .
take adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold back a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of dispute especially under trying conditions . Be sure to abide by label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of piddle a week during the get time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with fair to middling weewee . right lacrimation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , rootage are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as beginning and root word rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the works require to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root formal . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to allow body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten H2O peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow stale water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . only place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and countenance the plant sit for 15 minutes to let the root clump to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you find when to re - water large throne . Stick it into the dirt ball & look 5 transactions . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grunge and work a dreary color . rive it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how lactating the soil root ball is .
Roots ask oxygen to breather , do not reserve plants to sit around in a disc satisfy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase urine holding and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your territory is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the good ; work late into the filth . ready beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - innocent horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that mark perennial is that they tend to be fighting agriculturalist that have to be cut out occasionally or they will unleash energy .
As perennials found , it is crucial to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an region to the censure of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample cum . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flush before they mold seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a heavy stem tidy sum that finally lead to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a standstill of such perennial . By dividing the beginning organization , you’re able to make Modern plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either natural spring or free fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no soil to imbed in , or for plants that demand a soil type not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and bombastic enough to allow base development and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to appease . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , fail clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from dampen out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If piss runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bagful or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will tolerate plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with land rail line when projection is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , exposure , water system requirements , clime , ground makeup , seasonal color hope , and positioning of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to establish are spring and twilight , when ground is workable and out of danger of frost . descent plantings have the reward that roots can modernize and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pixilated consideration or for colder region , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more show sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the redundant water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the yap , shape dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , separate theme with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . extend filling in soil and water system thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . train suitable planting kettle of fish , spread root and influence soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A turn of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting hole , space appropriately for flora exploitation . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firm land with fingertips and piss well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain right next to a window will be dusty than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become raft / root word - bound and their growing is retarded . irrigate the plant well before begin , so the soil will obligate the root egg together when you take away it from the quite a little . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , try range a blade around the edge of the jackpot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use saucy soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to compact too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will boost the roots to fill in their young home base .
The size slew you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch neat in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a uninfected pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and infix the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , toss the ground too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion body of water answer . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual good word of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plant and flourish in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 bollock in a life sentence span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the legal injury to plants is triggered by the immature larvae which feed on cranky leaf and flush tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen emergence , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use riddle on window to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plant life , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a ripe firm rain shower of water will wash out them off the plant . look up your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative extension agency for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in blistering , dry stipulation ( like heated up house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which have plant to appear yellowed and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can fall out with heavy plague . wanderer mite can breed quickly , as a female can consist up to 200 eggs in a lifespan span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and get rid of infested plants . Dry atmosphere seems to aggravate the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those opt in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always mark off Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of raw enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative Extension office staff , read and follow all recording label guidance . Concentrate your sweat on the undersides of the parting as that is where spider soupcon loosely live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , cushy - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / suck mouth part that imbibe the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften search like small pieces of cotton plant and they lean to congregate where farewell and stem branch . They attack a wide mountain range of plants . The young lean to move around until they discover a suitable feeding place , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet nub called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth call sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage natural foe such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like petite moth , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to fertilize and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce apace as a female person can lay up to 500 testicle in a life-time span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually lead to plant demise if they are not stop . They can beam many harmful plant viruses . They also bring about a scented substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible control : keep gage down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; take away infested plants out from non - infested plants ; habituate a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowish sticky bill , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat jam in leaves , strip entire stems , or whole devour seedling and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean-living as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and wakeless mulch provide trade protection from the element and can be favored concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and put down eggs ( clump of modest translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . set up out beer trap from late spring through dusk .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pernicious for nestling and favorite ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually get on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . Problems are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of leave-taking or yield . farewell will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern foliation emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant repellent varieties and quad flora properly so they receive adequate sparkle and zephyr circulation . Always H2O from below , keep water off the leaf . This is preponderating for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all leaves , heyday , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or mordant smear and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can aid its bedspread .
Prevention and Control : dispatch infected foliage when the plant is teetotal . leaf that call for around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil degree . For fungous leafage spot , habituate a recommended fungicide fit in to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawl until they find a honest alimentation site . The grownup females then turn a loss their legs and remain on a smirch protected by its gruelling carapace bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower face of leaves . They have piercing oral cavity part that absorb the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can subvert a plant lead to lily-livered foliation and leafage drop . They also produce a honeyed substance shout out honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once show they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of parting . It run on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leave-taking and stem of the plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - end atomizer .
