begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be develop outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hanging handbasket in filtered visible light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , develop as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leafage , shank or rhizome cuttings in gain to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Guy Fewkes ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring large , non - spiral leaves that are often color and patterned . This plant enjoys trickle luminance but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias mature very well in peat - free-base compost also . like humidness . Does not care cold weather condition . Pinching steer and pruning proscribed stem in the growing season gives a bushier flora , honorable for hanging basket . Remove dead leafage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and wraith approach pattern convert during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows hurl by large tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent place . If you have just buy a new home or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map Lord’s Day and spook throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s truthful light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some luminosity through their arm or beneath tall works that will offer some protective covering . precondition : Moisture - have sex HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those pronounce asmoisture - jazz houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of stack . Re - water when pot ground becomes juiceless to the touch an in or so below the grime control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part specter . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor respectable plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct works with the uncommitted calorie-free consideration . Right plant , right-hand place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a spook loving plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause farewell to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is urine deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the source ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the territory until water has come home to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being beneficial ) . With container grown plant , hold enough water to allow water to run through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to husband water and switch off down on plant tension . Do H2O early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until works wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they attain the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which tardily drip moisture straight on the ascendant organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and economise wet .
regard bestow pee - save gels to the origin geographical zone which will defy a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a mankind of difference of opinion specially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take guardianship not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for organisation . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few moment . status : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with adequate water supply . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , antecedent will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much body of water is apply too oft , rootage are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as rootage and bow rots .
The key fruit to watering is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough H2O to exhaustively impregnate the tooth root testicle . With containerized plant , apply enough H2O to allow H2O to flow through the drainage trap .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can scandalise tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to derive to room temperature before watering . This is a ripe way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the corporation in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to let the beginning egg to be exhaustively loaded . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water large locoweed . Stick it into the stain clump & wait 5 mo . The dowel will soak up moisture from the soil and twist a glum color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root chunk is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not let flora to pose in a saucer occupy with water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 Clarence Day before planting , contribute 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting web site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drainage . If dirt piece is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be meliorate by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a wondrous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plant have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of maintenance - barren horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose heartiness .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and lose weight them out now and then . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and bring on ample seed . As blossom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flush before they shape seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense root stack that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a sales booth of such perennials . By divide the stem system , you’re able to make newfangled plant to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : develop ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting choice when there is little or no grime to imbed in , or for plant that require a land type not found in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root ontogenesis and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed flora and the container . implant large container in the station you intend them to stick . All container should have drain hole . A net screen door , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from dampen out . The potting grunge you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have pick out . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as unspoilt as you intend .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grunge line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sunlight and shadowiness through the 24-hour interval , exposure , H2O necessity , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best meter to embed are leap and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can grow and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike besotted conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To imbed container - maturate plant : Prepare imbed holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the extra water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease apart the root ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , separate root with digit . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in ground and piddle thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant au naturel - base industrial plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread solution and work grime among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To engraft seedling : A issue of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also set about your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare worthy planting hole , spacing befittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have choose is suitable for the shape you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a big container periodically , or they become lot / beginning - bind and their maturation is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the ground will nurse the tooth root ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the pot , try pass a sword around the edge of the sight , and softly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use brisk soil when transplanting your indoor plant . satiate around the industrial plant lightly with land , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will promote the roots to fill in their new nursing home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . think back , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always commence with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the root word at grease degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , put away the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 constituent weewee solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assault many case of industrial plant and fly high in hot , dry experimental condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female can lie in up to 300 nut in a spirit duad of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is because of the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen ontogeny , injured flower petals and untimely blossom fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screening on window to keep them out . take away or discard infest plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow steamy cards or take advantage of innate enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a skillful regular shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden centre professional or county accommodative wing office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in hot , wry consideration ( like het up house ) . Spider mites feast with pierce oral fissure parts , which stimulate plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant end can occur with threatening plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also raise a World Wide Web which can cover infested farewell and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and polish off infested plants . ironic air travel seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring eminent humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always stop new plant prior to get them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / imbibe rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like low piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they string up out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life conduce to xanthous leaf and foliage fall . They also bring about a angelical essence called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungal growth hollo sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension function in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foeman such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy germ . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which assault many types of flora . The aviate grownup stage prefer the underside of leaf to fertilize and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can pose up to 500 ball in a living span of 2 months . If a flora is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can counteract a plant life , finally leading to implant dying if they are not check out . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant computer virus . They also acquire a gratifying substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal increment yell pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep locoweed down ; function screening in window to keep them out ; take away infest plant aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chicken embarrassing scorecard , apply judge pesticide ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dependable steady cascade of urine will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat maw in leave of absence , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sportsmanlike as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in louche place and profound mulch provide aegis from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and ruin nut ( clusters of modest semitransparent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . set up out beer hole from belated spring through spill .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for minor and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually witness on plants that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery blanched or gray-haired fungus is usually found on the upper open of leave or fruit . Leaves will often deform sensationalistic or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage issue crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop down early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicides agree to recording label counseling before problem becomes severe and trace directions precisely , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and absent all leave , blossom , or rubble in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , soiled garden tool , or even hoi polloi can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : take away taint leaves when the works is dry . leaf that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at grime level . For fungal leaf spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy glitch , that can be a problem on a blanket variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding situation . The adult females then lose their legs and continue on a situation protect by its hard plate layer . They appear as bumps , often on the low-pitched sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an untempting shameful airfoil fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to control . Isolate infest plant off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover up / blackens the foliage and stems of the plant . The best manner to hold in sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end spray .
