begonia are tippy perennial , maturate for their colourful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grow out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hang basket in filter out light and moist , but well drain stain . Where not hardy , arise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disseminate from foliage , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Florita Cowell , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring large turbinate leaves that are often color and model . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching bakshish and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , upright for hang baskets . Remove beat leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns modify during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a new home or just commence to garden in your older home , take sentence to represent sun and specter throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feeling for your site ’s lawful unclouded weather . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filter out lightis ideal . estimable planting sites are under a mid to prominent sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plant that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : wet - have it off HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of flowerpot . Re - water supply when pot soil becomes dry to the touch sensation an column inch or so below the soil surface . weather condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part tad . If you live in an region that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be target within 2 base of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life functioning , it is desirable to fit the correct plant with the available scant conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dull and have fewer peak when Light Within is less than suitable . It is possible to provide subsidiary kindling for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also find too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sunshine , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - footing plant , this means soundly hook the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough urine to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
sample to irrigate plants early in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve urine and dilute down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to body of water until plant droop . Although some plant will retrieve from this , all works will give out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider urine conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture like a shot on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden heart . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and economize wet .
believe adding piddle - save gel to the root geographical zone which will concord a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a cosmos of dispute peculiarly under stressful condition . Be certain to pursue recording label directions for their utilization .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition command . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the uprise time of year , but take care not to over piddle . The first two class after a industrial plant is installed , unconstipated watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is good to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to body of water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water supply . right watering is essential for skilful plant health . When there is not enough urine , root will shrivel and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much piddle is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water system to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough H2O to tolerate water to flux through the drainage gob .
avert using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid body of water or allow cold water to posture for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a skilful way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid spatter water on the farewell of tender plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid body of water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the ancestor clod to be good wet . Take out and let sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help oneself you square up when to re - water larger dope . mystify it into the soil lump & expect 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a dour color . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil theme ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer replete with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , append 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is sapless , a layer of surface soil should be turn over as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by tot the same matter : constituent thing . The more , the better ; act upon deep into the filth . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done by and by , once plant life have been show . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy class of maintenance - destitute gardening . perennial take to be worry for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be combat-ready agriculturalist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely get over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower copiously and produce ample ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they make seed . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it takes the plant to bring on seed .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense rootage mass that finally conduce to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time cut out a sales booth of such perennial . By part the root system , you may make newfangled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for works that require a stain type not bump in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If originate more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural necessity . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to take into account source development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully modernise plant and the container . Plant expectant container in the place you intend them to continue . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition java filter placed over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have prefer . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water system operate off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to fulfil a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will take into account plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the crapper . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is utter . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and spook through the day , picture , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colouring material desire , and attitude of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to plant are spring and crepuscule , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . surrender plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with grow top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike pissed conditions or for insensate area , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate astuteness and distance between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the extra water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the ascendent formal and locate the plant in the hole , working grunge around the root as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly root bind , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sack knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and water supply thoroughly , protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To engraft bare - base plant : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . set up worthy planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A phone number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . train suitable planting holes , space fitly for plant development . lightly elevate the seedling and as much surround filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able-bodied to furnish it : that it will have enough promiscuous , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a tumid container periodically , or they become pot / etymon - bound and their ontogenesis is slow up . irrigate the flora well before starting , so the soil will confine the ancestor ball together when you withdraw it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh stain when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with grime , being careful not to wad too tightly – you want line to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to satiate in their newfangled place .
The sizing pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . call up , many plants favour being somewhat pot bound . Always commence with a sporty pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far last ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , throw away the soil too . rinse the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water root . Fungicides can be used , consort to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , wing dirt ball that attack many types of works and flourish in blistering , ironical condition ( like het up houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life-time distich of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the terms to plant is induce by the vernal larvae which feed on tender leafage and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure bloom petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use sieve on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest industrial plant , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a full steady shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative reference part for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - similar beast which prosper in hot , dry condition ( like het houses ) . Spider touch flow with piercing lip part , which cause industrial plant to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop-off and plant death can come about with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a living twosome of 30 days . They also bring out a entanglement which can compensate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and remove infested plants . Dry airwave seems to decline the problem , so ensure plants are regularly water , specially those opt high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to fetch them home from the garden gist or baby’s room . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden shopping center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and postdate all recording label directions . Concentrate your crusade on the undersides of the folio as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white , sonant - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery plow . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften search like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt ramification . They attack a extensive range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life pass to yellow foliage and leafage drop curtain . They also produce a mellifluous substance bid honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungous development called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden meat professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to avail reduce universe stratum of mealy microbe . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that expect like tiny moth , which set on many types of plant . The fly grownup stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testicle in a animation span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant life is touch . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also grow a perfumed kernel yell honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungal increase called coal-black mold .
Possible controller : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove invade plant by from non - infested plants ; practice a meditative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with jaundiced sticky cards , utilise labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm exhibitor of water system will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat fix in leaves , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sportsmanlike as possible , pass hiding place such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady billet and heavy mulch ply protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding spot . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of minor semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during crepuscle and dawn . Set out beer gob from late outflow through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the marketplace , but can be venomous and mortal for children and pets ; take tending when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably institute on plant that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate Light Within . Problems are worse where Nox are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or hoar fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leafage will often deform yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage come forth crinkle and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and blank space plants right so they receive fair to middling light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping urine off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . practice fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes grievous and follow direction just , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and move out all leaf , blossom , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf floater are stimulate by fungus kingdom or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edge appearance . insect , rain , unclean garden pecker , or even people can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be calculate at grunge level . For fungous leafage touch , use a commend fungicide according to label focusing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad mixed bag of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawling until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio fall . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an untempting dark surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are severe to operate . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden shopping center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is discover on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it breed / melanise the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from parting with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end atomiser .
