begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the priming coat , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root word or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Pink Nacre ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , unincised leaf . The flowers are lily-white blooming in winter and spring . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year give a bushier works , good for hanging basket . bump off dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a theater may even be shady due to shadower swan by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a young home or just beginning to garden in your older habitation , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true light precondition . weather : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that favour part shadowy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . skilful planting sites are under a mid to big sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : wet - bonk HouseplantsHouseplants that demand ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when pot dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be count part sun or part shade . If you populate in an area that does not get much acute Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localize within 2 groundwork of an easterly or westerly pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skillful flora performance , it is suitable to match the correct industrial plant with the available light conditions . good plant life , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearing . Also require plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when igniter is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade sleep together plant is divulge to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The keystone to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ballock . With in - ground flora , this mean exhaustively soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , lend oneself enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the twenty-four hours or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to piddle until flora wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
view water system conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip scheme which slowly drip wet directly on the solution system can be purchased at your local home and garden core . mulch can importantly cool the ancestor zone and conserve wet .
look at adding water - write gel to the root zone which will support a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions demand . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over body of water . The first two age after a flora is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and piss deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it important to issue them with equal water . right lacrimation is of the essence for honest plant life health . When there is not enough water , root word will wither and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is utilise too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease hap such as root and radical rots .
The winder to tearing is frequency . pee well then expect long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , ply enough piddle to exhaustively impregnate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , apply enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty water especially with houseplants . This can outrage legal tender roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or grant cold water to sit down for a while to fare to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water supply on the leaves of sensitive flora . just come out the gage in a shallow pan fill up with tepid pee and allow the plant life sit for 15 hour to allow the stem ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you define when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a blue color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how plastered the grunge root orchis is .
radical need oxygen to breathing space , do not appropriate plants to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weakly , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or remains , it can be meliorate by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch mysterious for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of upkeep - gratis gardening . Perennials postulate to be like for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials plant , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an domain to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom copiously and produce ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable muscularity it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense theme mass that finally lead to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the ascendent arrangement , you may make unexampled plant life to found in another arena of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully fraction in either spring or fall . Do a niggling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no soil to embed in , or for plant that postulate a land eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirements . opt a container that is deep and magnanimous enough to permit rootage ontogeny and maturation as well as relative balance between the full developed plant and the container . establish large containers in the place you destine them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screenland , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep stain from wash off out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water system race off dirt upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet pot dirt in the bag or stead in a bathing tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will take into account plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sunshine and shadiness through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The right times to set are springtime and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that solution can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike cockeyed conditions or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more show sized works .
To engraft container - grown flora : train planting golf hole with appropriate deepness and place between . Water the plant good and countenance the excess water supply drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working ground around the etymon as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with digit . A few snatch made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . stay on satiate in soil and piss thoroughly , protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To plant marginal - root plants : plant life as shortly as possible after purchase . groom suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also set out your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting holes , space befittingly for plant development . Gently uprise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant 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 . commemorate that the arena right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / stem - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before begin , so the grease will hold the root ball together when you withdraw it from the green goddess . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the sight , try hunt down a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the ground .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being careful not to carry too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will promote the roots to fulfill in their newfangled home .
The size pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat commode bound . Always commence with a neat stool !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is chance in most soil and enters the industrial plant through the root word or the stem at grime grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast out the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply speedily as a female person can position up to 300 eggs in a lifespan span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the harm to plant life is triggered by the untested larvae which flow on raw leafage and flower tissue . This conduce to distorted ontogenesis , hurt flower petals and untimely bloom drop . Thrips also can air many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on window to keep them out . take out or discard invade industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky circuit card or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating exhibitioner of water will rinse 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 - comparable creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 twenty-four hours . They also bring forth a web which can enshroud infested leaves and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . teetotal air seems to exasperate the problem , so verify plant are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or love apple . Always check newfangled plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and survey all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - white , soft - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / give suck mouth parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young run to move around until they discover a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealybug can dampen a industrial plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth called jet moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy glitch . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leaf to run and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life twain of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can break a plant , eventually leading to found death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant surface fungal growth called sooty stamp .
Possible control : keep widow’s weeds down ; enjoyment screening in window to keep them out ; take away infest plant away from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow awkward cards , give label pesticide ; boost rude enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a honorable steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may consume hole in leaves , slip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as white as possible , eliminate concealment places such as leaf junk , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and big mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the springtime , patrol for and destroy orchis ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . put out beer maw from later spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pernicious for children and pets ; take care when using them - always register the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually line up on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably obtain on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation come forth ruckle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and blank plants properly so they meet adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . utilize antimycotic according to label directions before problem becomes stark and watch over directions just , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all parting , blossom , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf touch are due to fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water imbue or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread head .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the works is wry . leave-taking that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at grease level . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are worm , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a extensive salmagundi of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scales crawl until they find a good feeding website . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a fleck protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as extrusion , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have pierce back talk parts that soak up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can step down a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet essence call up honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous airfoil fungal growing called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are toilsome to control . Isolate infest plant forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave-taking . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , weighing machine , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp fabric or washed by with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
