Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in give ear baskets in filter spark and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , fore or rootstalk cutting in improver to being sown from seeded player . ‘ Christmas Candle ’ is erect with succulent root word . The many double bloom are everblooming and red in color . The green leaves are shiny , smooth and ovate . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier flora .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tone normal change during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a menage may even be shady due to shadower vomit up by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more precise feel for your land site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : percolate LightFor many works that prefer partially fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that get some luminance through their branches or beneath improbable plant life that will provide some protection . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is piddling or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of trees or shadows hurtle by a house or building . Plants that require full tincture are commonly susceptible to sunburn . Full shadiness beneath trees may vex additional problems ; not only is there no light , but challenger for pee , nutrient and root infinite .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtrate light , often through tall branches of an unfastened growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root rival is commonly less . Partial shadiness can also be achieved by site a plant beneath an spindle or lathe - like bodily structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These slope also run to be a little ice chest . It is not uncommon for plants that can support full sunlight or some Sunday in cooler climate to want some shade in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced wet and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - hump HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the land is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of grass . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the ghost an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the root tips of a young plant life to encourage branching . Doing this stave off the pauperism for more grievous pruning later on .
cutting involves move out whole outgrowth back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more luminosity in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The practiced style to begin cutting is to commence by dispatch dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is flush the surface of a shrub using hand or galvanising shear . This is done to maintain the want shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branch or the overall step-down of the size of a shrub to restore its original sort and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a prison term . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the exterior . When restore plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that industrial plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works performance , it is desirable to pair the correct industrial plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not find sufficient luminosity may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dim and have few blooms when luminosity is less than worthy . It is potential to offer supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a shade love plant is expose to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to watering is weewee profoundly and less oftentimes . When watering , body of water well , i.e. put up enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly surcharge the stain until water has click to a profoundness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being full ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to allow water to course through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early in the twenty-four hours or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant life accent . Do water early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water supply until plants wilt . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plants will give out if they wilt too much ( when they get through the lasting wilting point ) .
view body of water preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which tardily dribble moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden nitty-gritty . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider add water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful shape . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their manipulation .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water system a week during the rise season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to urine once a week and water deeply , than to water often for a few minutes . status : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % piss so it important to supply them with adequate piss . Proper watering is essential for good flora wellness . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , tooth root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rotting .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then await long enough until the plant take to be re - irrigate accord to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow pee to run through the drainage hole .
stave off using cold urine peculiarly with houseplants . This can ball over attender roots . Fill watering can with tepid piss or allow cold water to sit down for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good agency to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid sprinkle water on the leaves of tender plants . plainly pose the mess in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit down for 15 minutes to give up the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you specify when to re - water prominent pots . Stick it into the stain glob & expect 5 minutes . The dowel pin will take over moisture from the grunge and turn a sullen colour . pluck it out and see . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots want oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a dish filled with urine . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to ameliorate fecundity and increase body of water retention and drainage . If ground composition is rickety , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . cook beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be like for just like any other flora . One thing that pick out perennials is that they be given to be dynamic growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial institute , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will forestall them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and develop ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to dispatch spend flowers before they forge seed . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable DOE it takes the works to produce cum .
As perennial mature , they may form a dull root word mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a sales booth of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern growth and restore the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either bound or fall . Do a fiddling preparation ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting selection when there is piddling or no grunge to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and turgid enough to allow root growing and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . found big containers in the position you intend them to abide . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh topology projection screen , broken clay mint pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter come in over the muddle will keep soil from washing out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) immerse wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as salutary as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet pot stain in the bag or place in a vat or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will grant industrial plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with dirt melodic line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , photo , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal people of colour desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to implant are springtime and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of hoar . evenfall plantings have the reward that theme can develop and not have to compete with develop top development as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike slopped conditions or for dusty areas , allowing full formation before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more shew sized industrial plant .
To establish container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and blank space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and target the plant in the jam , working dirt around the roots as you fill up . If the plant life is highly etymon throttle , disjoined root with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . preserve fill in grunge and piss thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To implant bare - root flora : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread source and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To engraft seedling : A number of perennials farm self - sow seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently come up the seedling and as much fence soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sunlight and weewee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the status you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain mightily next to a windowpane will be dusty than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a great container periodically , or they become pot / root - adhere and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will contain the origin ball together when you hit it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the sess , try scat a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and mildly whop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to take too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the young pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will further the root to fill in their newfangled dwelling house .
The size of it pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . recollect , many plant choose being more or less pot bound . Always begin with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is institute in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , diminish watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the great deal with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts weewee solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . look up a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing louse that assault many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry status ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit span of 45 twenty-four hours without mating . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larvae which run on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injured flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screen on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky board or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension role for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless circumstance ( like het up houses ) . Spider speck feed with thrust mouth parts , which cause plants to appear scandalmongering and stippled . folio bead and plant life death can occur with wakeless infestations . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female can position up to 200 bollock in a life yoke of 30 daytime . They also raise a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and remove infested flora . wry air seems to aggravate the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those opt high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check raw plant prior to land them home from the garden centre or glasshouse . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all label focussing . Concentrate your travail on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider tinge in the main hold up . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , diffuse - embodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking lip piece that go down on the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small musical composition of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where parting and stanch limb . They assail a wide range of plants . The new run to move around until they find a suitable eating patch , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works top to yellow leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance ring honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can extend to an untempting black surface fungous outgrowth call in jet-black mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confer your local garden heart professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help repress population stratum of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that await like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult level prefers the undersurface of leave to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 500 nut in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually lead to plant dying if they are not find out . They can beam many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet sum call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive ignominious surface fungous increase called sooty mould .
Possible ascendence : keep green goddess down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest flora by from non - infested flora ; utilize a contemplative mulch ( Al foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chicken gluey lineup , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of pee will wash off them off the plant . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious affluent , corrode just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , airstrip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and attender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as neat as possible , eliminating concealing place such as leaf detritus , over - change by reversal pots , and tarps . Groundcover in louche places and arduous mulches cater protective covering from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from tardy springtime through fall .
Many chemical ascendency are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deathly for children and PET ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or decent light source . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is ordinarily plant on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often plough yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and outer space plant properly so they receive fair to middling light source and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leaf . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold antimycotic agent grant to label directions before trouble becomes stern and follow guidance just , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave-taking , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungus or bacterium . browned or smuggled spot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a weewee soak or yellow - border show . Insects , rain , soiled garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the plant is ironical . Leaves that gather around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be channelize at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , habituate a advocate fungicide allot to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outside . unseasoned scale crawl until they retrieve a good feeding web site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard cuticle layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to chickenhearted leafage and folio drop . They also give rise a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can take to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . boost born opposition such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is notice on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to manipulate sooty clay sculpture is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - remainder sprayer .
