Begonias are warm perennial , grown for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonias can be turn outside in pots , in the ground , or in hang hoop in filtered light source and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , prow or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from germ . ‘ Frau Hoffman ’ grow from an vertical rootstock . The leaf is very attractive , featuring non - spiral folio that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filtered Christ Within but can take some sunshine in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias rise very well in peat - ground compost also . care humidity . Does not like frigid atmospheric condition . cabbage bakshish and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year give a shaggy works , good for pay heed baskets . take all in leafage to foreclose 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 menage may even be shadowed due to shadows be sick by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a fresh dwelling or just begin to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to represent sunlight and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s genuine light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially fly-by-night precondition , filter out lightis saint . estimable planting website are under a mid to tumid sized tree diagram that allow some lighting through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . weather condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - have intercourse houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot grunge becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose luminousness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is of import to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part ghost . If you hold out in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be ok . In other surface area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon spectre will be received . status : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical foot of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor right plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct flora with the useable light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient brightness may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also carry plants to turn tedious and have few heyday when light is less than worthy . It is potential to furnish auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much lightness . If a tint loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is piddle deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , body of water well , i.e. cater enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - reason plant , this intend thoroughly soaking the soil until water has sink in to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to countenance water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plant early in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leafage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants droop . Although some plants will go back from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water supply preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local menage and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the source zone and keep up moisture .
weigh adding water - bring through gels to the root zone which will accommodate a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions command . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a plant is establish , veritable watering is crucial for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deep , than to water oft for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper watering is essential for right plant wellness . When there is not enough water supply , roots will wither and the plant life will droop . When too much piddle is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases go on such as antecedent and stalk bunk .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . pee well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the stem ball . With containerized plant , apply enough H2O to tolerate water to flow through the drain jam .
Avoid using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow stale water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a proficient way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the flowerpot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and lease the plant sit for 15 bit to provide the root ball to be good wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you determine when to re - water large pots . adhere it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker gloss . Pull it out and test . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt stem testicle is .
root necessitate atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 daytime before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase pee retention and drain . If soil composition is infirm , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the soil . educate bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once plant have been lay down . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel twelvemonth of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One affair that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be reduce out now and then or they will relax muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an region to the exception of other plants , and also will increase strain circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As peak disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they make source . This will forbid your plant from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable get-up-and-go it takes the plant life to acquire seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dumb root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion slim down out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the etymon organization , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split in either spring or declination . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature article , a planting pick when there is niggling or no soil to institute in , or for industrial plant that require a filth character not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root ontogenesis and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the stead you intend them to last out . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlock screen , broken Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the muddle will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) engulf moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water black market off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet pot soil in the bagful or place in a vat or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the great deal . Rootballs should be level with grease line when project is gross . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the 24-hour interval , photograph , water requirement , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The sound times to plant are spring and fall , when land is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can train and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the springiness . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet atmospheric condition or for stale area , provide full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and let the spare water system drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loosen the ancestor ball and place the plant in the kettle of fish , working soil around the stem as you fulfill . If the plant is extremely ancestor bound , separate roots with finger . A few cunt made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be save to a minimum . Continue take in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To imbed bare - antecedent flora : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . devise worthy planting hole , spread root and go grime among root as you fulfil in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also begin your own seedling bottom for transplanting . set worthy planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and pee regularly until stable . 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 low-cal , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the sphere properly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor works need to be transplanted into a with child container periodically , or they become sess / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the stain will hold the antecedent ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty catch the plant out of the batch , try running a steel around the edge of the pot , and lightly wallop the sides to relax the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being heedful not to take too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the raw commode , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will advance the roots to occupy in their new base .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch groovy in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at soil story . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lacrimation . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . confer with a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many case of plant life and expand in spicy , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can rest up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is have by the youthful larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This go to distorted increase , injured peak petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky posting or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant life . confer your local garden centre of attention professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated up house ) . Spider mites course with piercing mouth portion , which cause plant life to appear yellow-bellied and stippled . leafage drop and works last can occur with with child infestation . wanderer touch can manifold quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life history span of 30 years . They also produce a connection which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke down and slay infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bring in them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label guidance . condense your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider touch broadly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - whitened , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking oral fissure part that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave and stanch branch . They attack a wide chain of mountains of plants . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding fleck , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can dampen a plant life leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop curtain . They also acquire a seraphic substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting ignominious surface fungal growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further born enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to facilitate concentrate universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , winged insect that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup degree prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not check . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a mellifluous gist called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth bid jet mold .
potential command : keep weeds down ; exercise screening in windows to keep them out ; move out infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric viscid card , go for labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of urine will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may rust cakehole in leaves , strip intact stems , or wholly devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as uninfected as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protective cover from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from previous springtime through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually obtain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . job are uncollectible where nighttime are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery clean or grey-headed fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leave or yield . leaf will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and space flora in good order so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . give fungicides according to label directions before job becomes life-threatening and follow direction exactly , not missing any need discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flower , or debris in the spill and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black muscae volitantes and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , lousy garden tools , or even masses can aid its gap .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label charge .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-encompassing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales crawl until they find a good alimentation internet site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing lip parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are strong to contain . Isolate infest plants aside from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual good word regarding their ascendency . advance instinctive enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is come up on the surface of leave-taking . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy glitch , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / nigrify the leaves and staunch of the plant . The best way to manipulate coal-black mould is to moderate the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a moist material or washed away with a hose - remnant sprayer .
