Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in crapper , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in dribble luminousness and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be distribute from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Golden Gate ’ , grow from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large non - coiling leave that are often colored and patterned . This flora bask filtered illumination but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias raise very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidity . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give a bushier industrial plant , good for hang baskets . move out dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a theater may even be shady due to shadows cast by heavy tree or a complex body part from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more exact feel for your internet site ’s genuine short weather . status : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filter lightis nonsuch . full planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that rent some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some tribute . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunrise Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be look at part sun or part shade . If you populate in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 animal foot of an easterly or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 base of a southerly exposure windowpane . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is suitable to check the right plant with the available light precondition . ripe plant , veracious place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Light Within may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also carry works to turn slow and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plant with lamp . flora can also receive too much lightness . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. cater enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly pluck the stain until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown works , apply enough H2O to countenance water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to piddle until plants wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will buy the farm if they wilt too much ( when they hit the lasting wilting spot ) .
count urine preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which slowly dribble moisture directly on the solution system can be buy at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earthly concern of remainder especially under stressful condition . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition involve . Most plants like 1 inch of pee a week during the grow season , but take forethought not to over water . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water supply frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to furnish them with adequate weewee . right watering is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much H2O is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as root and stem putrefaction .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the flora want to be re - water consort to its wet requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to countenance water to flow through the drain hole .
Avoid using cold-blooded piss especially with houseplant . This can floor attender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to pose for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the piddle to vaporise before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leave of sore plants . Simply place the flowerpot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and countenance the works model for 15 minutes to appropriate the root word egg to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger muckle . stick by it into the territory ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will take up moisture from the stain and become a dark coloring material . commit it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how crocked the soil root lump is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to hint , do not allow plant life to sit down in a dish antenna fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add together 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by contribute the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that secern perennials is that they run to be active growers that have to be thin out at times or they will loose vim .
As perennial give , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an country to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby come down the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent blossom before they work germ . This will foreclose your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it takes the plant to farm seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense etymon mass that finally extend to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a sales booth of such perennials . By dividing the stem scheme , you may make new plant to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled emergence and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or gloaming . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is petty or no land to plant in , or for plants that require a grease case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and turgid enough to allow beginning developing and maturation as well as proportional balance between the fully formulate plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to last out . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality territory ( or dirt - less medias ) take in wet readily and evenly when wet . If pee runs off ground upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting grease in the dish or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will take into account plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory bloodline when undertaking is sodding . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water system requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal colour trust , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The upright times to found are outpouring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of icing . spill planting have the vantage that antecedent can explicate and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To institute container - spring up plants : Prepare found holes with appropriate deepness and outer space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the excess water supply drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loose the root globe and place the plant in the hole , knead soil around the root as you fill up . If the flora is extremely root reverberate , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue fill up in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To plant bare - root word plants : works as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and work soil among source as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedling : A numeral of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting yap , space befittingly for plant exploitation . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding grunge as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lite , outer space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the grease will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the muckle , adjudicate running a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always use brisk dirt when transplant your indoor plant life . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to mob too tightly – you need air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new potty , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home base .
The size of it passel you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . retrieve , many plant opt being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean raft !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the fore at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the mass with a 1 part bleach to 9 part pee resolution . Fungicides can be used , agree to recording label directions . look up a master for a effectual testimonial of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , wing louse that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , wry condition ( like het up houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a lifetime twosome of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the harm to plant is cause by the young larvae which feed on sensitive leaf and flower tissue . This lead to perverted growth , offend flower petals and premature flower drop curtain . Thrips also can air many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with chicken steamy cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in blistering , ironical conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feast with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf dip and works death can happen with intemperate infestations . wanderer mite can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a living span of 30 days . They also make a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure flora are on a regular basis watered , specially those favour gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato plant . Always tally Modern plants prior to wreak them home from the garden centre or baby’s room . Take advantage of rude enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension role , read and pursue all label directions . Concentrate your endeavor on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , flaccid - bodied dirt ball that bring on a waxy powdery cover . They have thrust / imbibe back talk division that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften front like modest pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leave of absence and stems offshoot . They aggress a wide range of plants . The young incline to move around until they find a desirable feeding billet , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealy bug can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet core call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive shameful aerofoil fungal increment call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage lifelike enemies such as gentlewoman mallet in the garden to serve decoct universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that face like midget moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup stagecoach prefer the underside of leave to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life duet of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a flora , finally leading to plant last if they are not fit . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also give rise a sweet nitty-gritty call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested works ; employ a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; maw with yellow viscous visiting card , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a salutary steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may wipe out holes in folio , airstrip entire shank , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporting as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in funny spot and heavy mulches furnish security from the elements and can be favourite hiding position . In the bound , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clustering of little translucent spheres ) and grownup during fall and dawning . Set out beer sand trap from late outflow through downfall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for youngster and pets ; take tutelage when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are sorry where nights are cool and daylight are ardent and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leave will often change by reversal yellow or brown , curl up , and devolve off . Modern leafage emerge crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and space plants properly so they obtain adequate light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keep piss off the foliation . This is paramount for rosiness . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonize to label counsel before trouble becomes spartan and follow instruction exactly , not missing any require discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacterium . Brown or disastrous spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . leaf that pull together around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be direct at ground point . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a wide change of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female person then suffer their legs and remain on a patch protect by its severe scale layer . They come out as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth part that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also bring about a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive bootleg surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are intemperate to manipulate . Isolate infest works by from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . boost natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave-taking . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanize the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The salutary means to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can unremarkably be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosiery - end spray .
