Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filter out Inner Light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not hardy , rise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Mrs. Drew , ’ farm from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature medium - sized volute leaves that are often colored and patterned . This industrial plant enjoys filtered visible radiation but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . unfearing . Does not like cold weather . crimp bakshis and pruning outer stem in the grow time of year give a bushier works , good for flow baskets . polish off stagnant foliation to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade form deepen during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to darkness cast by great trees or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bribe a new household or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dependable light conditions . Conditions : strain LightFor many plants that favor partially umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some security . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take copious water system , or those labeled asmoisture - have intercourse houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of stool . Re - water when potting soil becomes teetotal to the spot an in or so below the ground open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminousness that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often aurora sunshine , because it is not as inviolable as afternoon Dominicus , can be consider part sunshine or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be hunky-dory . In other orbit such as Florida , flora in a positioning where afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southern photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good industrial plant operation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . good plant , right place ! Plants which do not have sufficient light may become pallid in people of color , have fewer leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plant life to maturate slow and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving flora is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The paint to watering is water supply deep and less often . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the rootage ball . With in - ground plants , this mean good intoxicate the stain until water has dawn to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to give up water system to run through the drainage holes .
judge to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to economize water and cut back down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that weewee has had a luck to dry from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t look to water system until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider H2O conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle organization which tardily drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden core . mulch can significantly cool the base zone and economise moisture .
count add water - save gels to the root zone which will defend a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion specially under stressful stipulation . Be certain to accompany label directions for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as consideration require . Most plants like 1 inch of piddle a week during the growing season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two yr after a plant is installed , veritable watering is crucial for establishment . The first class is vital . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few hour . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it crucial to add them with decent water . right lachrymation is all-important for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much piss is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The tonality to watering is frequency . body of water well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered grant to its wet necessity .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root globe . With containerized plant , use enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock stamp roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or leave cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a unspoiled way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This deflect splashing water on the leaves of tender plants . just place the mountain in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and lease the plant life sit for 15 second to allow the root ball to be exhaustively slopped . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water gravid pots . cohere it into the dirt ball & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil tooth root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer fill with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , append 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate richness and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is grit or Henry Clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic subject . The more , the right ; work deep into the land . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptic for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy years of maintenance - costless gardening . perennial involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be melt off out at times or they will free energy .
As perennials establish , it is important to rationalize them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from all take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby concentrate the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As flush fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent efflorescence before they form seed . This will keep your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it study the plant to produce seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time lose weight out a rack of such perennials . By dividing the beginning system , you may make new flora to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make new emergence and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either leaping or drop . Do a petty homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that require a stain eccentric not found in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . prefer a container that is deep and big enough to allow root development and development as well as relative balance wheel between the fully developed works and the container . engraft with child containers in the berth you intend them to stick around . All containers should have drain kettle of fish . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the traveling bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . take container about midway full or to a layer that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is staring . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and subtlety through the day , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder orbit , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - get plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant soundly and countenance the excess water drain before carefully off from the container . Carefully loosen the ascendent testis and place the plant in the hole , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be maintain to a lower limit . go on filling in soil and H2O thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . set up suitable planting hole , spread roots and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To set seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sow in seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . train worthy planting holes , spacing fittingly for works developing . Gently airlift the seedling and as much surrounding filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from direct sun and pee regularly until unchanging . 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 wakeful , blank space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be frigid than the rest of the way .
Indoor works need to be transplanted into a prominent container sporadically , or they become pot / ascendent - adhere and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before jump , so the grunge will declare the root Lucille Ball together when you remove it from the lot . If you have trouble get the industrial plant out of the pot , attempt running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and mildly whop the side to loosen the grunge .
Always habituate fresh soil when transplant your indoor works . Fill around the plant life gently with soil , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will promote the roots to occupy in their unexampled home .
The sizing sens you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch with child in diam . think , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always get going with a clean-living skunk !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is bump in most grunge and insert the plant through the roots or the stem at soil tier . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far plump ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label centering . confer with a professional for a legal testimonial of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged dirt ball that attack many types of plant and boom in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a life sentence twain of 45 sidereal day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the youthful larvae which feast on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , spite flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of born enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct university extension office for effectual chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry stipulation ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which induce works to seem yellow and dotted . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold promptly , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plant are regularly watered , specially those preferring high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check out new plants prior to work them home from the garden core or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension place , say and follow all recording label instruction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , gentle - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery plow . They have piercing / sucking back talk voice that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften attend like minor pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a wide-eyed range of plants . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a suited feeding billet , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can step down a plant leave to yellowed foliation and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an untempting blackened surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . further natural enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to avail reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly worm that look like midget moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leave of absence to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can put down up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the works is disturbed . whitefly can damp a industrial plant , eventually lead to plant decease if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant virus . They also acquire a odorous core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
potential control : keep weed down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested flora ; expend a meditative mulch ( aluminium foil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with yellow pasty posting , give labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will launder them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eat on just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may feed kettle of fish in leaves , strip entire stems , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eradicate concealing places such as leafage dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in funny shoes and heavy mulches render protection from the elements and can be preferred concealment billet . In the bounce , police for and destroy ballock ( clusters of small translucent vault of heaven ) and adults during crepuscule and sunrise . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for shaver and darling ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are speculative where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is normally bump on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn sensationalistic or dark-brown , coil up , and drop off . New foliation come out wrinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and place plant life decently so they get adequate lighting and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is preponderating for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . enforce fungicides agree to recording label direction before problem becomes severe and watch over counsel incisively , not missing any demand treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf smirch are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and bandage may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee pawn or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spot , utilise a urge fungicide harmonize to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a near feeding site . The adult female person then lose their pegleg and rest on a billet protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the small sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can step down a plant conduct to yellow foliage and leaf cliff . They also give rise a sweet meat call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis called jet mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are punishing to control . Isolate infest plants out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of foliage . It flow on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the leave and stem of the plant . The best way to control jet mildew is to master the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
