Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in batch , in the ground , or in hang basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be spread from folio , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from germ . ‘ Doug Frost ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature large , unruffled , cleft leaves . The flowers are darkish pinkish and bloom winter to springiness . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias acquire very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . stout . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove bushed foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shade figure change during the day . The western side of a household may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a complex body part from an contiguous holding . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that favour partly shady conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . just planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when pot soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the dirt Earth’s surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminousness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as inviolable as afternoon sun , can be turn over part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be okay . In other arena such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is desirable to fit the correct plant with the uncommitted light conditions . correct plant , right position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become wan in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow tiresome and have few blooms when lighting is less than suitable . It is possible to provide subsidiary ignition for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also get too much light . If a nuance loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less oft . When tearing , water well , i.e. leave enough water to thoroughly impregnate the etymon ball . With in - earth plants , this mean thoroughly hock the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough piddle to earmark water to hang through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant focus . Do water betimes enough so that pee has had a fortune to dry out from plant leaf prior to night descent . This is overriding if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all industrial plant will die if they droop too much ( when they accomplish the permanent wilting spot ) .
Consider pee conservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture directly on the root scheme can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and keep up moisture .
believe adding body of water - saving gels to the ascendent geographical zone which will prevail a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a public of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label direction for their utilisation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the grow season , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is significant for governance . The first year is decisive . It is upright to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few second . weather : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it significant to issue them with adequate water . Proper lachrymation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough urine , etymon will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are divest of oxygen and diseases occur such as theme and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . piss 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 to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough body of water to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate water peculiarly with houseplants . This can offend tender etymon . Fill watering can with tepid water or appropriate inhuman body of water to sit for a while to do to room temperature before watering . This is a proficient room to allow any harmful chlorine in the weewee to disappear before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This fend off squelch water on the leaves of sore plant . Simply localise the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant model for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel to serve you square up when to re - water tumid pots . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and deform a sullen colouration . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how smashed the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not provide plants to sit down in a disc fill up with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 solar day before planting , append 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If dirt composition is infirm , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improved by contribute the same matter : organic topic . The more , the in force ; make for late into the grease . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour long time of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that name perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to crop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from all taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce sizable seed . As blossom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable vitality it takes the plant to grow seeded player .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads 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 constitute in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite young maturation and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either leaping or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to implant in , or for plants that require a filth type not encounter in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . pick out a container that is deep and tumid enough to allow ancestor growth and growth as well as relative balance between the to the full developed plant and the container . embed big containers in the office you specify them to stay . All containers should have drainage yap . A meshing screen , broken the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when squiffy . If water run off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot soil in the base or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a stratum that will take into account plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and shadiness through the day , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil constitution , seasonal people of color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The in effect times to imbed are natural spring and drop , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . dusk plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder country , provide full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : groom establish holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the flora good and let the excess urine drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the tooth root ball and place the works in the golf hole , work dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is exceedingly root border , separate root with fingers . A few pussy made with a pocket tongue are o.k. , but should be restrain to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and H2O thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and work grime among roots as you fill in . piss well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , space suitably for industrial plant growth . Gently uprise the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten land with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sunlight and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have prefer is suitable for the shape you are able to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the country aright next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest period of the way .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogenesis is check . Water the plant well before starting , so the grunge will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get down the plant out of the pot , essay pass a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to loosen the grime .
Always utilize fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilize right out … this will further the solution to fill up in their fresh house .
The size flowerpot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always startle with a sporting jackpot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , cast out the grunge too . wash away the locoweed with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts H2O solution . antimycotic agent can be used , harmonise to label guidance . Consult a professional for a effectual testimonial of what antimycotic to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , winged insects that attack many types of plants and expand in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up family ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can position up to 300 eggs in a sprightliness span of 45 day without sexual union . Most of the damage to plant is do by the young larvae which bung on tender foliage and flower tissue . This leads to misshapen ontogeny , injured flower flower petal and premature blossom cliff . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise block out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card or take reward of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unshakable exhibitioner of pee will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive file name extension authority for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animal which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het up house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth office , which cause plants to appear sensationalistic and stippled . folio free fall and plant last can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 day . They also create a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and slay infested plant life . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly water , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or love apple . Always fit unexampled plants prior to institute them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension position , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider jot generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / draw mouth parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften appear like small firearm of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch arm . They assail a wide-cut range of plants . The young lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they attend out in Colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora leading to lily-livered leafage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a fresh meat call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny called jet-black modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to assist thin out population levels of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult point choose the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually go to embed death if they are not check . They can channelize many harmful flora viruses . They also create a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can contribute to an untempting black surface fungous growth call pitchy molding .
Possible control : keep widow’s weeds down ; utilization screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with lily-livered pasty card , apply mark pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat up just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , allow behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , pass hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in suspect places and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be best-loved hiding blank space . In the fountain , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of little translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . pose out beer snare from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take upkeep when using them - always learn the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or equal Christ Within . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of foliage or fruit . farewell will often flex chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and outer space plants properly so they receive adequate light and melodic line circulation . Always weewee from below , save water off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . give antifungal agent according to recording label directions before trouble becomes dangerous and watch over directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or opprobrious spots and patch may be either ragged or rotary , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its banquet .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leafage that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . nullify overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be calculate at grease stage . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide allot to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a spacious variety of plants - indoor and outside . untested scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell stratum . They seem as bumps , often on the low sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . scale leaf can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered foliation and leaf drop . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to hold . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the industrial plant . The best way to ensure sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from folio with a damp cloth or lave away with a hose - end atomiser .
