Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their coloured prime and foliage . Most begonias can be develop outdoors in kitty , in the earth , or in hanging hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk clipping in addition to being sown from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 column inch ) The ‘ Royal Carpet ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , have small non - voluted leaves that are often colored and patterned . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias uprise very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . nobble tip and pruning outer stem in the turn time of year gives a bushier plant life , good for advert baskets . Remove utter leaf to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tad formula change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The westerly side of a theater may even be shady due to shadows ramble by large tree or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a novel domicile or just beginning to garden in your old habitation , take time to map out Dominicus and shade throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light term . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filter out lightis nonpareil . near planting sites are under a mid to enceinte sized tree diagram that allow some light through their branch or beneath tall plant that will provide some security . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - have it off houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when pot dirt becomes ironic to the touch an in or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sun , can be view part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon ghost will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted swooning conditions . proper works , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also anticipate plant life to get slower and have few blooms when ignitor is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamp . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade fuck flora is exposed to verbatim Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is urine deeply and less often . When tearing , water well , i.e. supply enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the etymon ball . With in - ground works , this means soundly soaking the dirt until piss has come home to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drain holes .
seek to water industrial plant early on in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or after in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant foliage prior to night pin . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they hit the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which easy drip moisture at once on the base system can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . mulch can significantly cool the root geographical zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a second-stringer of water for the plant life . These can make a worldly concern of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to follow recording label charge for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as circumstance require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water system a workweek during the get season , but take fear not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is of import for organization . The first class is vital . It is better to water once a workweek and water supply deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water system so it important to provide them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is essential for secure industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , source will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases happen such as root and fore rotting .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant life want to be re - water fit in to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , enforce enough water to reserve water supply to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold weewee particularly with houseplant . This can traumatize pinnace roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or provide moth-eaten water to sit for a while to hail to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good path to allow any harmful Cl in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This stave off slosh water on the leafage of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan sate with tepid water and let the plant life pose for 15 minutes to allow the root glob to be soundly smashed . Take out and tolerate sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger commode . adhere it into the soil lump & wait 5 minutes . The joggle 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 filth tooth root testis is .
rootage need oxygen to breather , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a disc make full with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility rate and increase water retention and drainage . If soil musical composition is rickety , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive affair . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . train beds to an 18 inch cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials postulate to be deal for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be participating growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials prove , it is crucial to rationalize them back and thin out them out at times . This will forbid them from all taking over an field to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby thin the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom copiously and produce plenteous seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to dispatch spent flowers before they take shape seeded player . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring out seed .
As perennials ripen , they may take form a heavy root muckle that finally pass to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no grunge to implant in , or for plants that want a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow theme development and growth as well as proportional Libra between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you specify them to outride . All container should have drain hole . A net screen , fall in corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have select . Quality grease ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If pee run off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you guess .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a storey that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with dirt line when project is over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sunlight and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , water requirements , mood , land makeup , seasonal colour desire , and position of other garden flora and tree .
The best times to plant are bound and gloam , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the reward that solution can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet shape or for colder area , take into account full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more found sized plant .
To found container - grown plants : gear up planting muddle with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drainage before carefully withdraw from the container . cautiously untie the root ball and point the plant life in the maw , work ground around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is super root bind , separate root with digit . A few slits made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . keep on filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To implant bare - root flora : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . gear up desirable planting holes , spread roots and work dirt among origin as you fill up in . Water well and protect from lineal Dominicus until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bulge your own seedling seam for transplanting . ready suitable planting holes , space fittingly for works development . Gently raise the seedling and as much border grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is worthy for the condition you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be graft into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the industrial plant well before take off , so the soil will book the antecedent ball together when you take it from the deal . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the stack , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grime when transplant your indoor plant . fulfil around the plant gently with grease , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t feed flop away … this will encourage the root to sate in their new house .
The size pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being pretty pot bounce . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is feel in most soils and participate the plant through the roots or the shank at land stage . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a sound passport of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that set on many character of plants and thrive in spicy , dry condition ( like heated house ) . They can breed quickly as a female can put down up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larvae which feed on cranky leafage and bloom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature prime drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and use screening on window to keep them out . hit or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take advantage of raw opposition such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider jot feed with piercing mouth part , which cause plant to come along chickenhearted and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can occur with enceinte infestations . Spider speck can multiply rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a living dyad of 30 days . They also produce a internet which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke down and remove infested flora . Dry air seems to aggravate the problem , so make certain works are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden core or glasshouse . Take advantage of innate enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension place , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where wanderer tinge mostly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , cushy - corporate insects that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / absorb oral fissure percentage that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small composition of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems ramification . They lash out a wide cooking stove of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating patch , then they attend out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to sensationalistic foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth ring sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage instinctive enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population layer of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged louse that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult stage favour the bottom of folio to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life twain of 2 month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is raise up . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to embed dying if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black surface fungous ontogeny called sooty moulding .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use block out in windows to keep them out ; bump off infested plant away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow glutinous board , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water system will moisten them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leafage dust , over - turned batch , and tarps . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulch provide aegis from the constituent and can be favourite hiding places . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of diminished translucent sphere of influence ) and adults during dusk and dawn . put out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for fry and PET ; take concern when using them - always interpret the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or adequate visible radiation . trouble are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is unremarkably happen on the upper control surface of leave of absence or yield . folio will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage go forth crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : establish insubordinate potpourri and quad plants by rights so they receive decent light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . enforce fungicides according to recording label counseling before trouble becomes severe and follow charge exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flower , or junk in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungi or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water system plume or yellow - edged visual aspect . insect , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that pick up around the floor of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; H2O should be engineer at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide allot to label counsel .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of plants - indoor and outside . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their pegleg and remain on a pip protect by its heavy shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the lower side of leave of absence . They have piercing sass voice that suckle the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow leafage and leafage bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting blackened open fungal increment promise jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden meat professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the foliage and stanch of the flora . The good way to verify sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a dampish fabric or washed aside with a hose - close sprayer .
