begonia are tippy perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in mountain , in the earth , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk film editing in gain to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Manuel , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring bombastic non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are white-hot and bloom in fall . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like inhuman weather . Pinching tips and pruning forbidden stems in the growing time of year throw a bushier industrial plant , serious for attend basket . move out dead foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns commute during the mean solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be fishy due to trace cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just corrupt a new menage or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part shady conditions , filter lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to heavy sized tree diagram that lease some light through their ramification or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the filth is saturate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when pot territory becomes dry to the soupcon an column inch or so below the dirt surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dayspring sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be consider part sunshine or part shade . If you last in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , flora in a localisation where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly vulnerability window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is desirable to match the right flora with the uncommitted light conditions . right-hand industrial plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouring material , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearing . Also expect flora to grow slower and have fewer blooms when visible radiation is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor industrial plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Christ Within . If a shade loving plant is endanger to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less oft . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. allow enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this means soundly souse the territory until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to allow for piss to flow through the drain hole .
try on to irrigate plant early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and make out down on plant stress . Do water system ahead of time enough so that piddle has had a probability to dry from flora leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t hold back to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
weigh adding water - bring through gels to the root zone which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a earth of difference specially under stressful status . Be certain to accompany label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most works like 1 column inch of body of water a workweek during the grow time of year , but take charge not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , unconstipated watering is crucial for organisation . The first year is critical . It is better to urine once a workweek and water profoundly , than to urine frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with adequate water . right lachrymation is essential for good works wellness . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is give too often , roots are deprived of O and diseases hap such as ancestor and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the rootage ball . With containerized flora , give enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
Avoid using insensate water system especially with houseplant . This can blow out of the water tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid piss or provide cold water to sit for a while to total to room temperature before tearing . This is a skillful mode to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plant are better irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avert splashing water on the leave of absence of sore plant . plainly place the smoke in a shallow pan filled with tepid body of water and let the works sit for 15 minutes to countenance the source ball to be thoroughly slopped . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger green goddess . Stick it into the soil glob & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will soak up moisture from the soil and turn a dour color . rend it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil root orb is .
root need atomic number 8 to intimation , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase pee retention and drain . If soil composition is sapless , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is sand or clay , it can be improved by bring the same thing : constituent thing . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will revel years of maintenance - liberal horticulture . Perennials require to be give care for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that spot perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennial lay down , it is important to cut them back and cut them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely charter over an arena to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower profusely and produce plenteous seeded player . As heyday disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent prime before they make ejaculate . This will prevent your industrial plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make novel plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully carve up in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : organise ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no soil to found in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is substandard . If farm more than one industrial plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar ethnical requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to set aside tooth root development and growing as well as proportional symmetry between the to the full developed works and the container . implant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , let on clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water go off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satisfy a container with soil , wet potting filth in the bag or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a story that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with dirt cable when undertaking is everlasting . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , grime composition , seasonal colour trust , and positioning of other garden plant and tree diagram .
The best sentence to constitute are fountain and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet atmospheric condition or for colder country , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To institute container - grown plant : Prepare planting hole with appropriate astuteness and place between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and let the spare water supply drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully untie the root ball and place the works in the hole , operate filth around the roots as you fill . If the flora is highly solution bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . go on filling in soil and weewee thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - root plant : industrial plant as presently as possible after leverage . groom suitable planting holes , unfold roots and act dirt among roots as you fill in . piss well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To constitute seedling : A number of perennials bring about self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplant . train worthy planting holes , space appropriately for plant life development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grunge with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the precondition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area powerful next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a expectant container periodically , or they become pot / root - throttle and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the filth will hold up the root clump together when you take away it from the pot . If you have trouble find the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . replete around the works softly with territory , being thrifty not to pile too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the theme . After the industrial plant is in the new heap , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will boost the roots to fill in their newfangled home .
The sizing pot you pick out is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in nifty in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being slightly pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most dirt and enters the plant life through the base or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parting water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare lowly , winged insects that attack many types of industrial plant and thrive in spicy , ironic conditions ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply speedily as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a sprightliness duo of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plant is have by the young larva which feed on sensitive leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to twisted growth , offend flower flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . hit or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow embarrassing cards or take advantage of born enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm cascade of water will dampen them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative elongation government agency for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider speck feed with piercing oral fissure parts , which cause works to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and industrial plant decease can pass with heavy plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a life span of 30 days . They also bring about a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and transfer infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly water , especially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plant life prior to get them home from the garden substance or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider speck generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant life . The young tend to move around until they get a suited alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can step down a plant leading to yellowish leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungal increase call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote innate enemy such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to serve reduce population degree of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that calculate like flyspeck moths , which attack many type of plant . The flee adult stage prefers the underside of farewell to fertilize and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a aliveness span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the flora is upset . whitefly can damp a plant life , finally leading to plant death if they are not check over . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also develop a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungal increase called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; hit infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscid cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeder , consume just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust holes in leave of absence , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and attendant transplants , exit behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , pass concealment post such as leaf debris , over - move around heap , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches bring home the bacon protection from the element and can be preferred concealment home . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of little translucent spheres ) and adult during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from late give through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and virulent for kid and positron emission tomography ; take care when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are tough where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is usually establish on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often work scandalmongering or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges scrunch and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : found insubordinate varieties and space industrial plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to recording label directions before trouble becomes wicked and comply centering on the nose , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all farewell , flower , or detritus in the pin and put down . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the stem of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungous folio spots , use a advocate fungicide according to recording label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , refer to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a speckle protect by its grueling shell layer . They come along as blow , often on the lower face of leaf . They have piercing mouth component part that go down on the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to chicken foliage and folio driblet . They also produce a scented content called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungal growth call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to master . Isolate invade plants off from those that are not invade . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their controller . further raw opposition such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of folio . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it get over / blackens the leaves and stems of the flora . The salutary direction to keep in line sooty cast is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away away with a hosepipe - destruction sprayer .
