Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grow alfresco in pots , in the land , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , turn as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be distribute from leaf , stem or rootstock cutting in plus to being sow in from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Granny ’ , grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliation is very attractive , featuring small , non - coiling parting that are often gloss and pattern . This plant enjoys filter out light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias uprise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the growing season devote a shaggy-coated plant , dependable for hanging baskets . Remove deadened leaf to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and nuance patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to fantasm frame by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern base or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out sunshine and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s honest light condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor partly fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some brightness level through their branches or beneath marvelous plant life that will put up some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of tidy sum . Re - water when pot soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the dirt surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt illumination that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other surface area such as Florida , plant in a localisation where good afternoon shade will be have . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 substructure of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor serious plant execution , it is desirable to match the correct works with the available tripping conditions . Right plant , ripe place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in colouration , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow dull and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to put up supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a nicety make love plant is expose to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The paint to lacrimation is water system deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , piss well , i.e. supply enough urine to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soaking the grease until urine has infiltrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , employ enough water supply to allow water to fall through the drainage hole .
try on to water plants early in the day or after in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works stress . Do weewee too soon enough so that water has had a luck to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until flora wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pop off if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting spot ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slow dribble moisture straightaway on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool off the root geographical zone and preserve moisture .
Consider impart water - saving gels to the root zona which will keep back a reserve of H2O for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion peculiarly under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label focal point for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions necessitate . Most plants like 1 column inch of piddle a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for organization . The first year is vital . It is in effect to piddle once a workweek and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to render them with decent water . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant life health . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the works will droop . When too much body of water is practice too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease pass off such as root and root bunk .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered agree to its wet requirement .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough piss to exhaustively saturate the root bollock . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to feed through the drainage hollow .
Avoid using inhuman water specially with houseplant . This can shock bid root . filling watering can with tepid water supply or permit inhuman water to sit for a while to do to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to leave any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are intimately irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the farewell of sensitive plant . Simply rank the flock in a shallow cooking pan fill up with tepid body of water and allow the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and take into account sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel to help you decide when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the territory ball & expect 5 arcminute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and become a sinister color . Pull it out and try . This will give you an idea of how besotted the soil root ball is .
Roots require O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with weewee . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 in of senior manure or compost and work into the planting situation to better fertility and increase pee retentiveness and drain . If grease composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; bring deep into the land . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been make . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustenance - free gardening . Perennials take to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be dynamic raiser that have to be cut out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennials set up , it is significant to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely taking over an region to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower copiously and produce ample source . As efflorescence disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to absent expend heyday before they work seeded player . This will forestall your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dumb antecedent lot that eventually direct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the etymon system , you could make unexampled plants to implant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate raw growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is small or no land to institute in , or for plant that require a soil type not witness in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have standardized cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to take into account root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . institute turgid containers in the spot you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A interlocking cover , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter place over the hollow will keep grease from moisten out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when sozzled . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as respectable as you think .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet potting land in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . make full container about midway full or to a degree that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil line of work when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by debate sun and specter through the mean solar day , exposure , urine requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The skillful metre to plant are natural spring and free fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of Robert Frost . capitulation plantings have the advantage that theme can arise and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allowing full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - develop plants : Prepare planting jam with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant good and have the excess water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully undo the origin orb and place the plant in the jam , function soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill up in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant barren - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , distribute rootage and knead soil among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial bring about self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . cook suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . mildly raise the seedling and as much surround ground as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is desirable for the condition you are able-bodied to supply it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will wish . retrieve that the domain right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant ask to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their increase is retard . irrigate the plant well before lead off , so the stain will declare the root globe together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry get down the works out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the side to loosen the grease .
Always habituate tonic territory when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with filth , being measured not to pack too tightly – you require line to be capable to get to the origin . After the plant is in the raw wad , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the radical to fulfil in their new home .
The size pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch capital in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being pretty throne spring . Always begin with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grease and participate the plant through the roots or the stem at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O root . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label direction . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of plant and boom in spicy , dry shape ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is triggered by the new larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted increment , injure flower flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and utilize screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard overrun plant , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow sticky bill of fare or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash away them off the plant . Consult your local garden gist professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in spicy , dry conditions ( like het up house ) . Spider mite course with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to look yellowed and dotted . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with great infestation . Spider mites can multiply speedily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life story span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and slay infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the job , so check that industrial plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check young plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden pith professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , scan and follow all label commission . Concentrate your exploit on the undersides of the leave-taking as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , soft - corporal insect that produce a waxy powdery get over . They have piercing / wet-nurse mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young be given to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also bring on a sweet marrow called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can run to an untempting black aerofoil fungal emergence call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which snipe many type of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of parting to feed in and breed . whitefly can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is agitate . whitefly can weaken a works , eventually leading to engraft death if they are not checker . They can air many harmful industrial plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance visit honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungous growth predict sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; take infest plant life away from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous circuit board , apply labeled pesticide ; advance natural enemy such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced stiff shower of pee will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may feed hole in leave-taking , strip intact fore , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding blank space such as foliage dust , over - turned deal , and tarps . Groundcover in shady shoes and heavy mulches ply aegis from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy orchis ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere ) and adults during twilight and dawn . set up out beer traps from recent bounce through drop .
Many chemical control are uncommitted on the mart , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and favorite ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lighting . problem are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually detect on the upper open of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and melodic phrase circulation . Always pee from below , keeping water system off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and observe counseling exactly , not pretermit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take all leaves , blossom , or detritus in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf bit are because of fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water douse or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its scatter .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infected leaves when the industrial plant is ironic . Leaves that accumulate around the base of operations of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be directed at soil story . For fungous folio blot , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , come to to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark salmagundi of plants - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales crawl until they find a good feeding internet site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its punishing shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth role that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can break a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a seraphic core called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal ontogenesis called jet-black mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants out from those that are not infested . refer your local garden marrow professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their mastery . Encourage raw enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from folio with a damp material or washed off with a hosepipe - end nebuliser .
