Begonias are warm perennials , grow for their colorful blossom and foliation . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in peck , in the earth , or in pay heed baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain dirt . Where not hardy , develop as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagate from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being seed from seeded player . ( Plant breadth : leaves under 3 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Leprechaun , ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , spiraled leaf . The heyday are blanched and pinkish , blooming in late spring . This industrial plant love permeate light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . brave . Does not like moth-eaten weather . Pinching peak and pruning verboten stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy plant , good for hanging basketful . off dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tad patterns commute during the day . The western side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows chuck by large Tree or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s genuine lightheaded conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady consideration , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some igniter through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will allow some protective cover . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of hatful . Re - body of water when potting soil becomes dry to the spot an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sunlight or part shade . If you inhabit in an orbit that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other expanse such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is suitable to match the right works with the available light conditions . right-hand industrial plant , good place ! works 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 slower and have few bloom when luminance is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . works can also receive too much light . If a tad loving plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , urine well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - land plants , this think thoroughly hook the soil until water has dawn to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the twenty-four hour period or subsequently in the good afternoon to keep up urine and cut down on works stress . Do water early enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plant life wilt . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will conk out if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting level ) .
reckon H2O conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
regard supply water - saving gels to the root zona which will carry a military reserve of urine for the industrial plant . These can make a humankind of divergence especially under trying condition . Be sure to follow label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions want . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few mo . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with adequate piss . right watering is essential for effective plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases happen such as source and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered accord to its wet requirements .
When tearing , H2O well . That is , provide enough urine to thoroughly saturate the root testicle . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to course through the drainage cakehole .
Avoid using stale water especially with houseplants . This can traumatize tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold weewee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a estimable way to set aside any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . just order the toilet in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and rent the plant life ride for 15 minute to provide the root clump to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big pots . dumbfound it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and sour a dark colour . perpetrate it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the soil base ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit around in a disk fill up with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase pee retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be conceive as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or remains , it can be better by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch abstruse for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy geezerhood of maintenance - devoid gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that secern perennials is that they incline to be active growers that have to be lose weight out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennial show , it is authoritative to cut them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally taking over an region to the censure of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also flower copiously and bring out plentiful semen . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw pass flowers before they spring seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it take the plant to raise seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root peck that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dissever the root system , you’re able to make novel plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new emergence and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If spring up more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have like cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to allow root ontogeny and growth as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain hole . A interlock screen , break cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the fix will keep territory from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when wet . If water campaign off stain upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your dirt may not be as estimable as you think .
Prior to fulfil a container with soil , wet pot ground in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with stain line when project is gross . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , urine requirement , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The good times to plant are leaping and twilight , when filth is workable and out of danger of frost . tumble plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with formulate top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , give up full ecesis before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more give sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : make planting holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully move out from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely origin bound , freestanding antecedent with fingerbreadth . A few puss made with a sac tongue are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water good , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To constitute bare - base plant : plant life as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To set seedling : A number of perennials raise ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare worthy planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much environ dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct Dominicus and body of water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a orotund container sporadically , or they become potty / radical - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the grime will hold the ascendant ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the skunk , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate the right way away … this will advance the ascendent to fulfil in their new home .
The size pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . call up , many plants favor being middling pot bound . Always start up with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the root word at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , put away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts piddle answer . fungicide can be used , accord to label direction . refer a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that round many types of plants and boom in red-hot , wry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 300 nut in a life span of 45 day without union . Most of the damage to flora is due to the young larva which fertilise on tender folio and efflorescence tissue . This lead to ill-shapen increment , bruise flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and employ screen on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic sticky cards or take advantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unwavering cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , wry shape ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite eat with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to look yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with hard infestations . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female can position up to 200 bollock in a living span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are regularly water , peculiarly those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always chink novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden sum or nursery . Take reward of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative Extension position , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites mostly inhabit . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white-hot , soft - bodied insects that develop a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sassing parts that go down on the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften search like small piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leave of absence and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they line up a desirable feeding spot , then they advert out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant life leading to xanthous foliage and leaf drop . They also bring about a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an untempting black airfoil fungous growth called pitchy clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun 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 beetles in the garden to facilitate reduce universe story of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly louse that look like diminutive moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefer the undersurface of leaves to prey and stock . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female person can lie in up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can undermine a works , eventually head to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a seraphic heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty moulding .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscid card , apply mark pesticides ; encourage born foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a in force steady exhibitioner of water will launder them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not louse . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may rust holes in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender graft , pull up stakes behind tell - taradiddle silvery , worthless trails .
bar and command : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing places such as leafage debris , over - ferment pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowed place and cloggy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the outflow , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent celestial sphere ) and adults during crepuscule and aurora . localize out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the food market , but can be poisonous and lethal for children and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . problem are worse where dark are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or grey-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaf or yield . leave of absence will often turn scandalmongering or brown , curl up , and cast off . New leafage emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plant right so they receive adequate lightness and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , sustain piddle off the foliage . This is overriding for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides concord to label focus before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and bump off all leave , blossom , or debris in the fall and destruct . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . chocolate-brown or fatal spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infect leaf when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the understructure of the plant should be rake up and dispose of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil tier . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are louse , bear on to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a problem on a wide-eyed motley of plants - indoor and outside . Young surmount crawl until they find a sound feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and remain on a daub protected by its hard racing 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 . musical scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a mellisonant nitty-gritty call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-dark surface fungal maturation phone sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to hold in . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it wrap up / scorch the leaves and stems of the works . The dependable way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or moisten away with a hose - end sprayer .
