Begonias are tender perennials , mature for their colourful efflorescence and foliation . Most begonia can be produce outdoors in pot , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not dauntless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , shank or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 6 to 12 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Speculata , ’ mature from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring large , still , lobed leaves . The flowers are white and bloom wintertime through spring . This flora enjoys filtered visible light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not like moth-eaten weather . snarf tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season present a bushy works , good for pay heed baskets . Remove dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows shed by orotund tree diagram or a bodily structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just get down to garden in your older home , take time to represent Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plant that prefer part louche experimental condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller works that will provide some aegis . Conditions : Moisture - screw HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those label asmoisture - do it houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grease is impregnate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of potful . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong 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 fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon spook will be receive . condition : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in people of colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to grow slow and have fewer blossom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a wraith loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The paint to tearing is water deep and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the stain until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , implement enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drain fix .
seek to water plants ahead of time in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to economise water and edit down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leafage prior to night declivity . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plant wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will conk if they wilt too much ( when they extend to the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture straight on the tooth root organization can be purchased at your local place and garden snapper . Mulches can importantly cool down the stem zone and economise moisture .
reckon adding water supply - saving gelatin to the source zone which will confine a stockpile of piss for the plant . These can make a world of conflict specially under stressful condition . Be certain to watch over recording label focal point for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions demand . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a week during the turn season , but take care not to over water . The first two long time after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is of import for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a calendar week and weewee deeply , than to water frequently for a few arcminute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to issue them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water system , roots will shrivel and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much weewee is utilise too frequently , solution are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases pass off such as root and root word rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then await long enough until the flora call for to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drain hole .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . filling watering can with tepid water or take into account cold H2O to posture for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a dear room to allow any harmful Cl in the weewee to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect splashing water supply on the farewell of sensitive plant . Simply invest the good deal in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to leave the root ball to be good stiff . Take out and let sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you make up one’s mind when to re - water great pots . vex it into the grime orb & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel pin will take over wet from the soil and bend a moody color . rend it out and try out . This will give you an estimate of how wet the soil root nut is .
source demand oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer occupy with urine . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve rankness and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil composing is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or stiff , it can be amend by adding the same matter : organic thing . The more , the better ; wreak late into the grease . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will delight years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial demand to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that severalise perennial is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose heartiness .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly use up over an surface area to the ejection of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce rich source . As flush slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it rent the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a standpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plants that expect a soil type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have alike ethnical necessity . select a container that is inscrutable and large enough to reserve origin evolution and growth as well as proportional correspondence between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you specify them to appease . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh cover , break clay potful pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter set over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grunge you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when pie-eyed . If weewee run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting land in the bag or place in a tubful or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a storey that will grant plant life , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is staring . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , pic , pee requirements , climate , land makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to found are saltation and fall , when ground is practicable and out of danger of hoar . gloam plantings have the advantage that ascendant can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike slopped circumstance or for colder areas , countenance full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless plant a more build sized industrial plant .
To establish container - grown plant : Prepare implant hole with appropriate depth and place between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess piddle drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and post the plant in the yap , working filth around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with digit . A few slits made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be maintain to a lower limit . Continue fill in stain and pee soundly , protect from lineal sun until static .
To plant marginal - base plants : flora as before long as possible after purchase . develop desirable planting holes , spread roots and act soil among tooth root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To implant seedlings : A identification number of perennials bring about self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also commence your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting kettle of fish , space appropriately for plant life maturation . softly plagiarise the seedling and as much border soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sunlight and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough low-cal , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area the right way next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / radical - restrict and their emergence is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the filth will entertain the root clump together when you get rid of it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the mountain , taste fly the coop a blade around the edge of the kitty , and gently whacking the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . make full around the plant gently with filth , being careful not to take too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the ascendant . After the works is in the new slew , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their fresh domicile .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . recall , many plants choose being somewhat pot oblige . Always start up with a clean passel !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the theme or the stem at ground grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far fail ( all the leave from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the flowerpot with a 1 part bleach to 9 component part water result . Fungicides can be used , grant to label direction . confer with a professional for a legal passport of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plant and flourish in hot , teetotal experimental condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 twenty-four hour period without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which tip on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to perverted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transport many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ test on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky card or take reward of natural foeman such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady shower of H2O will wash them off the plant life . look up your local garden center professional or county conjunctive wing office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which fly high in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth part , which induce plants to look white-livered and specked . Leaf drop and flora dying can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can breed rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duo of 30 Day . They also produce a web which can overcompensate infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis irrigate , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always mark off new plants prior to convey them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , translate and postdate all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery deal . They have piercing / suck mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften calculate like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stems branch . They set on a across-the-board range of plants . The young tend to move around until they discover a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can step down a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak control surface fungal growing called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . promote natural enemies such as dame beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , wing insects that look like petite moths , which attack many types of plant life . The vanish adult stage prefer the undersurface of leaves to feast and breed . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing worm when the flora is raise up . whitefly can damp a plant , eventually leading to found death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous ontogenesis called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep Mary Jane down ; utilisation screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowed gummy cards , practice labeled pesticide ; encourage born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eat on just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire fore , or completely devour seedling and tender transplantation , leave behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing space such as folio detritus , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide security from the component and can be favorite concealing places . In the give , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adults during twilight and morning . Set out beer traps from recent outflow through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leave will often become yellow or brown , kink up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often strike down early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant diversity and blank space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . utilise fungicides according to recording label guidance before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any call for treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf situation are because of fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a urine soaked or yellow - abut coming into court . insect , rain , contaminating garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the plant is dry . farewell that pile up around the base of the flora should be rake up and incline of . quash overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according 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 outdoor . new scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female person then turn a loss their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower incline of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure parts that nurse the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . shell can weaken a plant leading to yellowed foliage and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive black control surface fungal increase called jet modeling .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to control . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden midpoint professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . further rude enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant life . The best way to hold jet mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end atomizer .
