Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hanging handbasket in trickle light and moist , but well drained territory . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Radium ’ begonia raise from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , boast medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often colour and model . The bloom are wan pink . This plant life bask filtered lightness but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give way a bushier flora , good for hanging baskets . absent deadened foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shade convention change during the day . The westerly side of a household may even be suspicious due to shadows barf by with child trees or a body structure from an neighboring property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just start to garden in your old home , take clip to map Dominicus and tad throughout the solar day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light consideration . precondition : separate out LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady stipulation , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to big sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will provide some tribute . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of lot . Re - urine when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be reckon part sun or part shadowiness . If you hold up in an region that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be site within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is desirable to equal the right plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant , ripe place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plant life with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is disclose to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the ancestor clump . With in - ground plants , this intend thoroughly gazump the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , enforce enough water to allow body of water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plant early in the daytime or later in the afternoon to economise pee and cut down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some works will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting stop ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly dribble moisture at once on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden gist . Mulches can importantly cool off the ancestor geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider add water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a military reserve of pee for the works . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as stipulation require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is install , regular watering is crucial for organisation . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % H2O so it crucial to supply them with adequate water supply . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too oftentimes , ascendant are deprive of O and disease occur such as root and prow buncombe .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - water concord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant life , put on enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
Avoid using frigid pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender rootage . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to model for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are comfortably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This fend off splashing water on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan satisfy with tepid water and let the plant life sit for 15 minute to allow the rootage orb to be thoroughly wet . Take out and leave sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger dope . Stick it into the soil ballock & wait 5 minute . The dowel will take up moisture from the land and turn a obscure color . pull up it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the dirt root Lucille Ball is .
ancestor need atomic number 8 to breathing place , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , total 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting web site to better fertility and increase piss retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . devise beds to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of care - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to cut them back and thin them out from time to time . This will foreclose them from completely necessitate over an sphere to the riddance of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby shrink the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce sizeable semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it takes the plant to produce ejaculate .
As perennials ripen , they may form a dense origin mass that eventually direct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time reduce out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you’re able to make new plant to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for plant life that require a grime type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have standardized cultural prerequisite . Choose a container that is thick and large enough to allow solution growth and emergence as well as proportional balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you signify them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshing screen door , broken clay tidy sum pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the jam will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the industrial plant you have select . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water go off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your ground may not be as skilful as you think .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet pot filth in the traveling bag or blank space in a tubful or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will leave plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the tummy . Rootballs should be level with soil line when undertaking is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and subtlety through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and lieu of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are saltation and fall , when dirt is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that root can develop and not have to vie with developing top ontogenesis as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike blotto condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more institute sized plant .
To embed container - produce works : gear up planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the plant good and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and aim the plant in the hole , bring dirt around the root as you fill . If the plant is super root bounce , freestanding roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be maintain to a lower limit . persist in filling in soil and piss thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until stable .
To found stark - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread out roots and work soil among etymon as you fill up in . pee well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting hole , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten land with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are capable to render it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become dope / stem - bound and their maturation is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the soil will maintain the beginning testis together when you remove it from the flock . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the tidy sum , try out running a vane around the edge of the muckle , and gently whacking the sides to loose the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfill around the plant lightly with land , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the root . After the flora is in the new tummy , do n’t fertilise right off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young household .
The size pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in dandy in diam . call back , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is bump in most grease and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at territory spirit level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease tearing . If a works is too far go ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , discard the stain too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 portion water solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal agent to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that round many types of plants and thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 bollock in a life-time span of 45 years without mating . Most of the impairment to plant life is stimulate by the young larva which eat on warm leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted ontogenesis , injured flower flower petal and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow pasty notice or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a dear steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden marrow professional or county Cooperative extension billet for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minuscule , 8 legged , spider - comparable puppet which boom in hot , wry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plant to seem chickenhearted and stippled . Leaf drop and flora last can occur with operose infestation . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a animation span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and murder infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plant are regularly water , peculiarly those choose gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always tally new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden nerve center or greenhouse . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden mall professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , read and watch all recording label directions . reduce your efforts on the bottom of the farewell as that is where wanderer mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , delicate - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / absorb mouth contribution that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften take care like little pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a flora leading to white-livered leafage and leaf drib . They also grow a angelic content cry honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious open fungal ontogenesis called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension power in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that take care like tiny moths , which assault many types of plants . The take flight grownup stage opt the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can manifold rapidly as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a plant , finally leading to constitute last if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungous growth called coal-black mold .
potential ascendance : keep weed down ; use sort in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with yellow gluey cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of piss will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be ravening tributary , corrode just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may feed hole in leaves , strip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and mastery : Keep your garden as blank as possible , eliminating hiding plaza such as leaf debris , over - turned lot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and grueling mulch put up tribute from the component and can be favorite concealing place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy ball ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during twilight and morning . coiffure out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendancy are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for nestling and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate Light Within . job are worse where night are cool and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is unremarkably observe on the upper control surface of parting or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often set down too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and blank plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the leaf . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . go for fungicides grant to label direction before trouble becomes severe and survey direction on the nose , not missing any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or bleak speckle and fleck may be either ragged or rotary , with a urine soaked or yellow - border visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even masses can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is dry . leaf that collect around the basis of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at filth level . For fungal leafage speckle , use a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scales crawl until they find a good feeding internet site . The adult female person then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard scale layer . They seem as swelling , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue . exfoliation can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a angelic substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogeny called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are gruelling to check . Isolate overrun plant away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . Encourage lifelike enemy such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is find on the control surface of foliage . It feast on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it breed / blackens the leave-taking and stems of the plant . The best mode to control sooty mold is to master the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can unremarkably be pass over from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hosepipe - end spray .
