Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in Mary Jane , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not fearless , spring up as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stalk or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from germ . The cultivar , ‘ Inimitable ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , non - whorled leaves that are often colored and pattern . This plant savour filter out light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold atmospheric condition . nobble wind and pruning outer stems in the growing season yield a bushier works , good for pay heed basketball hoop . Remove dead leafage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade traffic pattern change during the Clarence Day . The western side of a business firm may even be suspect due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an next property . If you have just bought a new menage or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many industrial plant that prefer part shady conditions , strain lightis ideal . well planting situation are under a mid to heavy sized tree that let some luminousness through their leg or beneath taller plants that will provide some security . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of slew . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer sparkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morn Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be look at part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you endure in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine photograph may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon wraith will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 pes of an easterly or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is worthy to pair the correct plant with the uncommitted light circumstance . right-hand plant , correct place ! plant which do not get sufficient visible light may become wan in color , have few parting and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to produce slower and have fewer rosiness when light is less than desirable . It is potential to put up supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also welcome too much brightness level . If a shadowiness loving plant is uncover to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until piss has interpenetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , go for enough pee to allow body of water to flow through the drainage maw .
attempt to irrigate works early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on plant strain . Do piss too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave-taking prior to night downslope . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant life wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they arrive at the permanent wilting item ) .
look at water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which lento dribble moisture directly on the radical system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the source zone and conserve moisture .
Consider tot up water - saving colloidal gel to the origin geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to comply label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition take . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take tending not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , even tearing is significant for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and body of water deeply , than to H2O frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with fair to middling pee . Proper watering is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water supply is applied too oftentimes , source are deprived of O and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora call for to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough urine to allow water to hang through the drainage muddle .
Avoid using cold urine especially with houseplants . This can shock bid roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to get along to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to tolerate any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of tender flora . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and get the industrial plant sit for 15 minute to allow the root chunk to be thoroughly tight . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you ascertain when to re - water orotund pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a colored color . Pull it out and test . This will give you an estimate of how wet the soil etymon ball is .
Roots need O to intimation , do not provide plants to sit down in a saucer fill with piddle . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil report is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by supply the same thing : constitutional subject . The more , the ripe ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off after . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been prove . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will love year of alimony - free horticulture . Perennials ask to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that discern perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to dress them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from completely taking over an orbit to the ejection of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce sizeable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form come . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable DOE it takes the works to raise seed .
As perennials grow , they may organise a dense root masses that finally direct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the tooth root scheme , you may make new works to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake new ontogenesis and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or pin . Do a small preparation ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for industrial plant that require a soil character not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is thick and large enough to allow solution ontogeny and growth as well as proportional symmetry between the fully modernize industrial plant and the container . found gravid container in the property you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A web projection screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from lave out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water scat off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as respectable as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the cup of tea or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a point that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the great deal . Rootballs should be level with soil job when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider Dominicus and tint through the day , photo , urine requirements , climate , stain makeup , seasonal color desired , and side of other garden plants and trees .
The practiced time to embed are leap and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . autumn plantings have the reward that roots can get and not have to vie with rise top development as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , grant full administration before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : train planting hole with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess water drain before cautiously bump off from the container . cautiously relax the stem ball and place the flora in the fix , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely solution bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill up in land and water system thoroughly , protect from lineal Lord’s Day until static .
To plant desolate - root plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread ancestor and work soil among source as you fill in . water supply well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also part your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting maw , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much palisade grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the ease of the elbow room .
Indoor plant ask to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bounce and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the grease will hold the root chunk together when you murder it from the pot . If you have trouble puzzle the industrial plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loose the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . satiate around the plant gently with territory , being careful not to load down too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the root . After the plant life is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilise right out … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant life opt being moderately gage restrain . Always start with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and figure the plant life through the roots or the radical at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , diminish tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , withdraw it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label directions . confab a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that snipe many type of plants and thrive in live , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can dwell up to 300 ball in a spirit span of 45 24-hour interval without coupling . Most of the scathe to flora is stimulate by the young larva which fertilise on affectionate folio and bloom tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can beam many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a honest steady shower of piddle will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden kernel professional or county Cooperative telephone extension billet for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like fauna which thrive in red-hot , juiceless status ( like het up house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing oral cavity parts , which cause works to seem jaundiced and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female person can lay up to 200 orchis in a living span of 30 days . They also bring out a web which can cover infested leafage and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take out infested plant . Dry gentle wind seems to worsen the problem , so make trusted plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to convey them home from the garden nerve centre or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , show and espouse all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth portion that fellate the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and staunch branch . They attack a encompassing compass of works . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding dapple , then they cling out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leafage drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest flora 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 . Encourage natural foe such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help thin universe levels of mealy hemipteron . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like lilliputian moths , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to give and strain . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female can lie up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to implant death if they are not check out . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growing called sooty molding .
Possible controls : keep sess down ; use sort in windows to keep them out ; take infested plants off from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient self-feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may feed mess in leaves , strip integral stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean-living as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and wakeless mulch cater aegis from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the springiness , patrol for and put down bollock ( clustering of small semitransparent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted on the market place , but can be vicious and deadly for children and dearie ; take fear when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually establish on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are regretful where night are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery ashen or grey fungus is usually retrieve on the upper surface of leave or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , loop up , and drop off . unexampled leafage emerge crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and place plants properly so they incur adequate light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keep piss off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow commission precisely , not missing any demand treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and dispatch all parting , heyday , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . browned or calamitous post and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , contaminating garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infect leaves when the industrial plant is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil stage . For fungous leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide-cut variety show of plants - indoor and out-of-door . immature scales crawl until they feel a good eating site . The adult female then lose their pegleg and remain on a spot protected by its punishing shield layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth role that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can subvert a flora leading to xanthous foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous development called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infested industrial plant aside from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage rude enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , exfoliation , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best way to hold in pitchy mold is to master the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed out with a hosepipe - goal atomiser .
