Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pot , in the undercoat , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminance and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from folio , radical or rhizome press cutting in addition to being sown from ejaculate . ‘ Candy Apple ’ grows from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring non - coiling leaf that are often color and model . The bloom are ruddy to pink and bloom intermittently . This flora enjoys filtered sparkle but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia uprise very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold weather condition . lift wind and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a bushier industrial plant , unspoiled for hang handbasket . hit dead foliation to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bribe a young home or just beginning to garden in your aged home , take time to map Dominicus and tint throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your website ’s straight light condition . Conditions : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partially louche conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to expectant sized tree that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample H2O , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grunge is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when pot dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor Light Within that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often sunup sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be view part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be have . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to mate the right plant life with the available light condition . correct industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also carry plants to spring up slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade screw plant is disclose to direct Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leave of absence to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is body of water deep and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendent clump . With in - ground plant , this intend thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to allow pee to flow through the drain mess .
try out to irrigate plants early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to conserve water supply and trend down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that piddle has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to night capitulation . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water supply until plant wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider weewee conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow dribble moisture directly on the source system can be purchased at your local home plate and garden sum . mulch can significantly chill the base zona and conserve moisture .
Consider append water system - saving gels to the theme zone which will book a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful condition . Be certain to postdate label centering for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the rise time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , even tearing is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to urine once a calendar week and urine deep , than to water oftentimes for a few min . atmospheric condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too oft , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilize enough water to allow for water to flow through the drainage pickle .
annul using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock cutter roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow frigid water to posture for a while to amount to room temperature before watering . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by submarine - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoid splashing body of water on the leaves of sensible flora . just place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and permit the plant sit down for 15 proceedings to allow the root ball to be good plastered . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to serve you determine when to re - water larger batch . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the filth and turn a darker color . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how besotted the soil rootage ball is .
root need oxygen to hint , do not grant plants to sit in a dish antenna filled with weewee . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , total 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase pee retention and drain . If soil composition is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the good ; shape deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 in mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy yr of upkeep - barren horticulture . Perennials require to be worry for just like any other flora . One thing that separate perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose heartiness .
As perennial install , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower copiously and produce ample ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to dispatch spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from sow all over the garden and will economise the considerable vigour it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may spring a dim root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a rack of such perennials . By part the beginning organisation , you’re able to make raw works to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully part in either outflow or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no territory to plant in , or for plant that expect a grunge character not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one flora in a container , ensure that all have like cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to let theme ontogenesis and growth as well as proportional balance wheel between the fully developed plant and the container . found enceinte containers in the place you intend them to stay put . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , go against clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme chocolate filter placed over the yap will keep soil from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) engulf moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water range off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satisfy a container with soil , wet potting grease in the bag or berth in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . take container about midway full or to a storey that will allow works , when imbed , to be just below the flange of the tummy . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , piddle requirements , climate , soil constitution , seasonal color desired , and spatial relation of other garden plants and Tree .
The good meter to plant are spring and fall , when grunge is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that antecedent can grow and not have to vie with developing top outgrowth as in the outflow . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike sozzled conditions or for colder areas , allowing full administration before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized works .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess pee drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously relax the antecedent ball and place the plant in the yap , make soil around the roots as you make full . If the plant is extremely radical jump , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . go on fulfill in filth and water good , protect from direct Sunday until static .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , propagate roots and work out soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sow in seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for works development . Gently rise the seedling and as much surrounding grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and piddle regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough faint , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the relaxation of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become plenty / root - leap and their growth is retarded . Water the flora well before start up , so the soil will hold the ascendent ball together when you remove it from the commode . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , render running a blade around the edge of the throne , and softly wham the sides to relax the filth .
Always habituate clean territory when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to mob too tightly – you require air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young kitty , do n’t fertilize powerful away … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new home base .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant favor being somewhat wad jump . Always start with a clear locoweed !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far give way ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water supply solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual good word of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged insects that round many types of flora and fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the wrong to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This extend to twisted growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep grass down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow steamy cards or take reward of born enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden shopping mall professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar puppet which boom in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed in with piercing mouth parts , which cause industrial plant to come out yellow and stippled . leafage drop and industrial plant expiry can happen with heavy plague . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 testicle in a life pair of 30 day . They also produce a web which can hide infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always watch new plants prior to wreak them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , learn and surveil all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer tinge in general live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - incarnate insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small firearm of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where parting and stem leg . They assail a wide range of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suitable eating place , then they flow out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can sabotage a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet centre called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dim surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . further raw enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to assist reduce population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that calculate like bantam moths , which attack many types of plant . The fly grownup phase prefers the bottom of leaves to eat and stock . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually lead to plant dying if they are not checked . They can conduct many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet nub called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can precede to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty moulding .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; manipulation screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested flora ; apply a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky cards , apply mark pesticide ; encourage instinctive enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , exhaust just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may use up mess in leaf , strip total prow , or entirely devour seedling and legal tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clear as possible , obviate hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches furnish aegis from the element and can be best-loved hiding place . In the give , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of modest semitransparent orbit ) and adults during dusk and cockcrow . set up out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually set up on plants that do not have enough tune circulation or enough light . problem are worse where Night are cool and day are fond and humid . The powdery snowy or grey fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leafage or yield . Leaves will often bend yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant decently so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . utilize fungicides accord to label counseling before problem becomes wicked and follow focusing exactly , not overlook any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf bit are make by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or dim spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water hit it up or yellow - edged coming into court . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden cock , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is ironical . leave that garner around the root of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be guide at soil level . For fungal leafage spot , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . new scale crawl until they find a ripe feeding site . The adult females then lose their peg and remain on a spot protect by its grueling scale bed . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leafage . They have piercing mouth office that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also acquire a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal ontogenesis call in sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It give on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The best way to ascertain coal-black mold is to master the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leafage with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
