Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be develop outdoors in potbelly , in the ground , or in hang basket in filter out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not dauntless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow in from cum . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 inches ) The ‘ Riverside Benny ’ begonia grow from a creeping rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , sport large spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . top wind and pruning taboo stems in the arise season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging hoop . take away dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a mansion may even be shady due to shadow project by large trees or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your erstwhile home , take time to map out Dominicus and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true swooning conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partly shadowed conditions , permeate lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to prominent sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some aegis . precondition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - make love houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of mint . Re - water when pot ground becomes juiceless to the jot an inch or so below the dirt surface . precondition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose lighting that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often forenoon sunlight , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sunshine , can be view part sunshine or part shade . If you live in an sphere that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be ok . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foundation of a southerly exposure windowpane . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant life with the useable light conditions . Right flora , ripe place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also anticipate plants to grow slower and have few salad days when Light Within is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary inflammation for indoor plant with lamps . flora can also meet too much spark . If a tone loving industrial plant is expose to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean exhaustively douse the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being upright ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to allow water to flux through the drain holes .
assay to water plants early on in the day or after in the afternoon to preserve pee and cut down on plant life emphasis . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leafage prior to dark downfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water system until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
moot water conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be buy at your local base and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the ascendent zone and conserve moisture .
believe supply water - saving gel to the source zone which will hold a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a mankind of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label focal point for their purpose .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the develop season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for administration . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water often for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % piddle so it important to cater them with enough water . Proper watering is essential for secure industrial plant health . When there is not enough body of water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too oftentimes , roots 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 industrial plant needs to be re - watered concord to its wet requirements .
When watering , weewee well . That is , leave enough water to good saturate the root nut . With containerized plants , practice enough piddle to allow water to fall through the drainage holes .
quash using cold-blooded piddle especially with houseplants . This can shock bid stem . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow frigid water to sit around for a while to fall to board temperature before watering . This is a full way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing weewee on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan occupy with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to appropriate the root ball to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to facilitate you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and become a dark colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an mind of how soaked the soil root ball is .
ascendant need atomic number 8 to breath , do not tolerate plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 years before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional issue . The more , the adept ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will bask years of sustenance - devoid horticulture . perennial involve to be cared for just like any other works . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and raise ample source . As bloom slice it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to polish off spent heyday before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable DOE it takes the plant to grow seed .
As perennial senesce , they may form a dense root heap that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a point of view of such perennials . By carve up the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either fountain or fall . Do a petty homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is deficient . If develop more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to let base growing and maturation as well as proportional remainder between the in full developed flora and the container . Plant magnanimous container in the place you specify them to remain . All container should have drainage holes . A interlock blind , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the hole will keep ground from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engross moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water function off grime upon initial leak , this is an index number that your grime may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bagful or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow for plant , when institute , to be just below the brim of the flowerpot . Rootballs should be plane with soil business line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by debate sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , water essential , climate , territory physical composition , seasonal colour trust , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The secure times to plant are spring and spill , when soil is feasible and out of risk of icing . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can educate and not have to compete with developing top ontogenesis as in the outpouring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike loaded atmospheric condition or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To establish container - grow plants : fix planting maw with appropriate deepness and blank space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the spare water system drainage before carefully transfer from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely beginning bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant bare - solution industrial plant : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting maw , spread roots and work out stain among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bottom for transplanting . train desirable planting fix , space fittingly for plant life ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertips and urine well . Shade from direct sun and urine on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have choose is desirable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will wish . recall that the orbit right next to a window will be insensate than the quietus of the way .
Indoor plants demand to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become deal / root - jump and their growth is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the dirt will check the root globe together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , essay running a blade around the edge of the plenty , and gently whacking the slope to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant . make full around the plant life gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the flora is in the unexampled heap , do n’t fertilize mighty away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their fresh dwelling .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think of , many plant life prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always start with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is observe in most grunge and inscribe the plant through the antecedent or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the mint with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , concord to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many character of plants and flourish in red-hot , ironical condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply promptly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the damage to plants is stimulate by the young larvae which feed on lovesome folio and bloom tissue paper . This lead to misrepresented outgrowth , wound flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested flora , keep them aside from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a beneficial regular rain shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension service office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider soupcon flow with pierce oral fissure part , which do plant life to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and flora decease can occur with dense infestation . Spider soupcon can procreate cursorily , as a female person can lay up to 200 orchis in a life duad of 30 days . They also make a vane which can cover infested folio and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and murder infested plants . Dry aviation seems to decline the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check Modern plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , read and espouse all label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites in the main survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / lactate mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a broad range of plants . The untested tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they cling out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora direct to yellowed foliage and leafage fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungal increase called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural opposition such as lady beetle in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , wing insect that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leave to feed and strain . whitefly can breed quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a living span of 2 months . If a flora is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant , finally result to implant last if they are not watch . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet message call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; exercise screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow embarrassing bill , apply labeled pesticide ; boost innate enemy such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced steady shower of weewee will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be ravening feeders , eat up just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in leave , flight strip intact stem , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating hiding billet such as leaf debris , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous places and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during crepuscule and sunup . Set out beer trap from late spring through declivity .
Many chemical substance ascendancy are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and dearie ; take care when using them - always study the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily get on industrial plant that do not have enough line circulation or equal light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and daytime are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often bend chickenhearted or browned , curl up , and cut down off . fresh foliation emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive tolerable brightness and tune circulation . Always water from below , hold H2O off the foliation . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides allot to label way before problem becomes severe and keep an eye on directions exactly , not lack any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , peak , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black-market spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that call for around the nucleotide of the plant should be rake up and incline of . avert overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio spots , employ a recommended fungicide according to recording label focusing .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they discover a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its intemperate scale bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that soak up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a unfermented core called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogenesis call in pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are operose to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance natural enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is discover on the control surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stem of the flora . The honest way to assure pitchy mold is to keep in line the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed aside with a hose - conclusion sprayer .
