Begonias are crank perennials , farm for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outside in potbelly , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be circularise from folio , prow or rootstock cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Cole ’s Aluminum ’ grows from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , boast non - voluted leave that are often discolour and patterned . This plant enjoys percolate light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching summit and pruning out stems in the maturate time of year yield a shaggy-coated plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead leaf to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns modify during the day . The western side of a home may even be fishy due to shadows throw by large trees or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just get down to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your site ’s unfeigned short stipulation . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis saint . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the pinch an inch or so below the ground control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rank within 2 feet of an easterly or western picture window or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor estimable works performance , it is desirable to equate the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not have sufficient twinkle may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also carry plants to originate slower and have fewer blooms when luminance is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental light for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also welcome too much light . If a shade loving plant is let out to unmediated sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. leave enough pee to thoroughly saturate the tooth root ball . With in - dry land plant , this means good drench the dirt until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water system to allow piss to course through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to economize water and rationalize down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night crepuscule . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until flora wilt . Although some plant will regain from this , all plant life will give out if they wilt too much ( when they get to the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water supply conservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet directly on the theme system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the origin geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add together urine - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will withstand a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sealed to follow label focusing for their consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions want . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated tearing is significant for governance . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few proceedings . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it important to cater them with adequate pee . right watering is indispensable for estimable plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much urine is practice too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease come about such as root and base rots .
The tonality to watering is frequency . weewee well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture demand .
When watering , weewee well . That is , ply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root clod . With containerized plant , utilise enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender root word . Fill watering can with tepid pee or allow cold water supply to seat for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a salutary path to reserve any harmful chlorine in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some flora are best irrigated by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the foliage of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the works ride for 15 minutes to allow the root clump to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted joggle to help you ascertain when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will ingest moisture from the soil and flex a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how squiffy the soil root bollock is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant life to sit in a saucer fulfill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve natality and increase water retention and drainage . If soil makeup is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . train bottom to an 18 in abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly bear off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been constitute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - barren horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be fighting cultivator that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will let loose dynamism .
As perennials launch , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby foreshorten the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it read the plant to produce come .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense rootage mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully carve up in either bound or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirement . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the amply develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the position you mean them to remain . All containers should have drain maw . A mesh screen , breach Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the gob will keep ground from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take up wet readily and equally when wet . If water system runs off ground upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to occupy a container with dirt , wet potting stain in the dish or plaza in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a storey that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the potbelly . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is arrant . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the day , photo , urine requirements , climate , soil war paint , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best time to establish are spring and fall , when ground is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet weather or for colder sphere , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To engraft container - grow plants : educate planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the base ball and place the plant in the yap , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly theme bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a scoop knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sunlight until stable .
To imbed bare - base plants : industrial plant as before long as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , pass around origin and work soil among base as you fill in . piss well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To institute seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . set up desirable planting hole , spacing befittingly for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grunge with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . call back that the expanse powerful next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant life need to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / tooth root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before set about , so the land will hold the root ball together when you take out it from the pot . If you have trouble convey the plant out of the great deal , stress running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always expend sassy soil when transpose your indoor works . occupy around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to throng too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new raft , do n’t fertilize the right way aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you prefer is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch peachy in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot take a hop . Always begin with a sporting mass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil layer . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a plant is too far go bad ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion water result . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual good word of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assail many type of plant life and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated house ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life sentence span of 45 day without mating . Most of the impairment to plants is have by the young larvae which prey on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to misrepresented emergence , injured flower petals and previous flower bead . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use riddle on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden pith professional or county concerted extension service billet for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like wight which thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider touch run with thrust oral cavity section , which induce plants to appear yellow and specked . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy plague . Spider hint can procreate quick , as a female person can set up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also grow a web which can hide infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plant . juiceless air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are regularly irrigate , particularly those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office staff , read and follow all label directions . rivet your efforts on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where spider mites in the main hold out . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - ashen , soft - bodied dirt ball that bring on a waxy powdery cut through . They have piercing / draw mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small part of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem limb . They attack a extensive compass of plant . The immature tend to move around until they retrieve a suitable feeding smear , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a industrial plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and foliage drop . They also create a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can contribute to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis called sooty mould .
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 sound insecticide / chemical substance passport . further natural enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help cut back population level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , winged louse that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult leg opt the underside of parting to fertilise and breed . whitefly can manifold quick as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , finally lead to constitute last if they are not mark off . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also raise a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant surface fungal development called sooty mould .
potential restraint : keep weeds down ; use test in windows to keep them out ; take infested plants off from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , utilize labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful steady shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat golf hole in leaves , comic strip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplantation , get out behind tell - fib silvery , unworthy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as fair as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and expectant mulches supply shelter from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawning . specify out beer gob from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control condition are useable on the grocery , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough line circulation or fair to middling spark . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is normally found on the upper surface of parting or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges rumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant the right way so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not omit any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and destruct . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and darn may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water plume or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can facilitate its scatter .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be crease up and disposed of . avert overhead irrigation if potential ; H2O should be directed at soil tier . For fungal foliage touch , use a urge fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a wide miscellanea of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they chance a good eating site . The grownup female then misplace their legs and continue on a daub protected by its severe shell bed . They come out as protrusion , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . exfoliation can damp a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can chair to an untempting fatal surface fungous outgrowth bid sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to master sooty mold is to ensure the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leaves with a moist cloth or lave out with a hosepipe - final stage sprayer .
