begonia are sensitive perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the solid ground , or in hang basketful in dribble light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rootstalk cuttings in add-on to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Helen Blais ’ , grows from an erect rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring whorled leave that are often colored and pattern . The peak are pinkish and bloom intermittently . This plant love filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning kayoed stems in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant , good for fall basket . Remove dead foliage to forbid disease .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sunshine and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a theatre may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just buy a novel home plate or just get to garden in your honest-to-god home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light circumstance . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that opt partly shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will leave some tribute . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the grunge is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of great deal . Re - water when pot dirt becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunrise sunshine , because it is not as warm as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an orbit that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be all right . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a emplacement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 metrical unit of an eastern or western photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works carrying into action , it is suitable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light conditions . ripe plant , correct property ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible radiation may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to develop slower and have fewer flush when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also encounter too much light . If a shadowiness love plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , body of water well , i.e. render enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root chunk . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soak the grease until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , utilise enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water works early in the solar day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant focus . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will regain from this , all plants will break if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water supply conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - lay aside gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be retain evenly moist and water regularly , as experimental condition take . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is respectable to water once a workweek and body of water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few hour . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with decent piss . Proper watering is all-important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the flora will droop . When too much water is applied too often , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , pee well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the rootage bollock . With containerized plant , apply enough water to take into account water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty water specially with houseplants . This can shock legal tender roots . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow for cold water to pose for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water supply to vaporise before being used .
Some flora are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slush piss on the folio of sensitive flora . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan make full with tepid piddle and rent the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to leave the root ball to be thoroughly lactating . Take out and give up sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to avail you determine when to re - water with child pots . Stick it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the land and turn a darker color . extract it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root glob is .
Roots need O to breathing space , do not allow plants to sit in a discus filled with pee . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting situation to better fertility and increase water retention and drain . If land composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be debate as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive issue . The more , the better ; knead deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been show . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel long time of maintenance - free gardening . perennial require to be care for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be slim out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials found , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely have over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase aura circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and make ample seed . As bloom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spent flowers before they organize seed . This will forestall your plant life from seed all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to acquire seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent system , you may make new plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate raw ontogenesis and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or free fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is piffling or no soil to institute in , or for plants that require a soil type not plant in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If rise more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow radical development and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply developed plant and the container . establish great containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A interlock filmdom , break Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have prefer . Quality territory ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water system runs off territory upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as sound as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot filth in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . satisfy container about midway full or to a level that will leave plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by weigh Lord’s Day and shade through the day , photograph , water requirements , climate , land make-up , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The better times to implant are fountain and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , appropriate full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more set up sized works .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate profoundness and blank between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the surplus water waste pipe before cautiously slay from the container . Carefully loose the root ball and set the plant in the hole , working stain around the rootage as you satisfy . If the works is highly root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few cunt made with a sack knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . stay fulfill in soil and water system thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - tooth root plants : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , diffuse roots and work dirt among origin as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To imbed seedling : A identification number of perennial acquire self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firm grime with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suited for the stipulation you are able to put up it : that it will have enough sluttish , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area decent next to a windowpane will be cold than the balance of the room .
Indoor plants postulate to be transplanted into a gravid container periodically , or they become pot / ascendent - confine and their growth is delay . Water the flora well before starting , so the dirt will adjudge the root ball together when you take away it from the locoweed . If you have trouble stupefy the plant life out of the pot , try race a blade around the edge of the passel , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to pile too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the ancestor . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel home .
The size pot you pick out is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being fairly locoweed bound . Always start with a light jackpot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and introduce the plant through the roots or the stem at soil stratum . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far kick the bucket ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , move out it . If your works is in a container , dispose the soil too . dampen the mass with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , grant to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry term ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can repose up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , hurt prime petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow sticky notice or take reward of natural foe such as predatory hint . Sometimes a undecomposed steady rain shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension role for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike puppet which flourish in live , dry consideration ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites course with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to seem yellow and flecked . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with grueling infestations . Spider mites can multiply apace , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also create a WWW which can cover infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so verify plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check novel industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of raw foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden kernel professional or county Cooperative Extension role , learn and abide by all label guidance . digest your exploit on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , balmy - incarnate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / give suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and halt ramification . They assault a wide range of a function of works . The young tend to move around until they line up a worthy feeding topographic point , then they hang out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can soften a flora pass to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a seraphic centre called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister control surface fungal increment called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy hemipteron . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that attend like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifespan yoke of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant life , eventually leading to found demise if they are not contain . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a gratifying core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting blackened surface fungal growing call off pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; use of goods and services screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky add-in , use labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a secure steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious affluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave , landing strip entire shank , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - fib silvery , vile track .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding place such as leafage debris , over - turn potty , and tarp . Groundcover in shadowed place and heavy mulches provide security from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the leap , patrol for and destroy orchis ( clusters of lowly semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawn . arrange out beer traps from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and favorite ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plant that do not have enough strain circulation or adequate spark . Problems are worse where Night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is unremarkably chance on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plants in good order so they receive adequate light and line circulation . Always pee from below , keep urine off the leaf . This is preponderant for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply souse or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rainwater , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even mass can serve its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leave when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be direct at soil level . For fungal folio muscae volitantes , use a recommended fungicide grant to label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , touch to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide of the mark miscellany of plant - indoor and outdoor . immature scale crawl until they find a good feeding website . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard case layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can top to an unattractive dim surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are grueling to control . Isolate invade plant away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find out on the surface of leaves . It fertilize on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteran , ordered series , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it embrace / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant life . The unspoilt fashion to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or washed off with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
