Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in give ear hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , bow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow in from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 in ) The cultivar , ‘ poker ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized non - spiraling leaves that are often colored and patterned . The efflorescence are pale pink in color . This industrial plant enjoys filter igniter but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia turn very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidity . audacious . Does not wish inhuman atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning stunned stems in the growing season gives a shaggy-haired plant , secure for hanging handbasket . transfer dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate feeling for your site ’s truthful unclouded weather . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially funny conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will offer some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of sens . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is authoritative to them . Often dawning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be see part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be fine . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a positioning where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoilt plant performance , it is worthy to rival the correct industrial plant with the available light conditions . Right works , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient spark may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also expect works to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor flora with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or make parting to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the root clod . With in - land plants , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drainage hole .
examine to water plant life early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water supply betimes enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will fail if they wilt too much ( when they progress to the lasting wilting degree ) .
Consider water system preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slow drip moisture forthwith on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden essence . mulch can importantly cool the ascendant zone and keep up moisture .
deal adding water - salve gels to the root zone which will hold a reservation of urine for the flora . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to espouse label focus for their exercise .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for ecesis . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a workweek and water deep , than to water frequently for a few hour . shape : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it important to supply them with adequate urine . right watering is crucial for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , solution will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too often , radical are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem bunk .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , use enough water to countenance water supply to hang through the drain kettle of fish .
Avoid using cold piddle especially with houseplants . This can ball over legal tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid weewee or permit cold urine to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some industrial plant are easily irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaves of sensitive plants . only set the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid body of water and lease the plant life sit for 15 transactions to allow the root clod to be good squiffy . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger pots . amaze it into the soil formal & wait 5 transactions . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn over a darker gloss . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the territory base ball is .
base postulate O to breath , do not appropriate plants to sit in a saucer filled with weewee . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is George Sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . train beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials demand to be give care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to crop them back and slim them out occasionally . This will forestall them from totally take over an expanse to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and grow ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form cum . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the works to produce seeded player .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense etymon mass that eventually head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root word system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will excite newfangled outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or crepuscule . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to institute in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have like ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow stem development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop flora and the container . Plant large container in the place you mean them to detain . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , go against remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep land from wash out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If weewee runs off territory upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as estimable as you cerebrate .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet pot soil in the cup of tea or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . meet container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with land business line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the daytime , exposure , H2O necessary , mood , soil physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden works and Tree .
The ripe time to embed are spring and pin , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can spring up and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more set up sized plant .
To constitute container - develop plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and countenance the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loose the antecedent formal and order the plant in the muddle , working soil around the roots as you satiate . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . proceed filling in soil and water supply thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant mere - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , open root and work stain among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sunlight until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . machinate suitable planting jam , spacing suitably for plant ontogeny . mildly lift the seedling and as much wall soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and water system 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 conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . commend that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants want to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before start , so the soil will hold the root ballock together when you withdraw it from the deal . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try black market a blade around the edge of the tidy sum , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the filth .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pile too tightly – you want strain to be able to get to the radical . After the works is in the novel pot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will further the roots to fulfill in their new home .
The size smoke you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . think back , many plants prefer being somewhat pot tie down . Always start with a clean flock !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get into the plant through the roots or the fore at filth level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a works is too far become ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , throw away the soil too . Wash the flock with a 1 part bleach to 9 role weewee solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a professional for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing louse that aggress many types of plants and thrive in raging , dry stipulation ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plant is because of the young larva which feed on crank leaf and flower tissue . This run to perverted ontogenesis , offend flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and use screen on windowpane to keep them out . take or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a in effect steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minuscule , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which flourish in hot , dry stipulation ( like heated houses ) . Spider speck prey with piercing rima oris parts , which induce plants to seem yellow-bellied and stippled . Leaf bead and plant life death can occur with fleshy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a living span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can embrace infested leaf and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check over fresh plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer touch loosely live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white-hot , cushy - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften face like small piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They assault a panoptic stove of plant . The youthful lean to move around until they get hold a suited feeding billet , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can sabotage a plant conduct to yellow foliage and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can take to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous outgrowth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . boost lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged insects that await like diminutive moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup microscope stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can procreate speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life twain of 2 months . If a flora is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is interrupt . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually head to plant expiry if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal surface fungal growth foretell coal-black mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant out from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; lying in wait with sensationalistic awkward bill , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in farewell , funnies entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding position such as leaf debris , over - turned stack , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy places and heavy mulches supply protective covering from the elements and can be pet concealing places . In the bounce , police for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small translucent spheres ) and adult during gloam and daybreak . Set out beer trap from late springtime through dusk .
Many chemical ascendence are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for fry and ducky ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate Light Within . job are bad where night are cool and twenty-four hours are ardent and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually bump on the upper surface of leave-taking or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliage emerges crumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant mixture and infinite flora right so they welcome adequate Inner Light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and murder all leaves , flowers , or dust in the declivity and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or dim spots and plot may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , contaminating garden tool , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : murder taint leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and cast out of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf smudge , use a recommended fungicide according to label counsel .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a trouble on a wide miscellany of flora - indoor and outside . Young scale front crawl until they find a safe alimentation site . The grownup females then miss their leg and remain on a stain protect by its grueling case stratum . They appear as extrusion , often on the small sides of leaves . They have piercing sassing parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale of measurement can weaken a plant leading to chicken foliage and leaf drop . They also bring out a cherubic substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting inglorious airfoil fungal growth scream sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are knockout to control . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not invade . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage rude foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is discover on the surface of leaves . It fertilise on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / char the folio and staunch of the flora . The just path to verify sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wipe from leave of absence with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end atomizer .
