begonia are tender perennials , develop for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in hatful , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate ground . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Mary Harrison , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature medium - sized non - spiral leave that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys trickle light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias develop very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning out staunch in the growing time of year yield a shaggy-coated works , unspoiled for hanging baskets . withdraw dead foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and shade patterns change during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a social organization from an next property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your Old home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate spirit for your web site ’s lawful light status . weather : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt part fishy weather , filtrate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to great sized tree that let some ignitor through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some aegis . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those label asmoisture - do it houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of sight . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of the day sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you populate in an country that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon specter will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works functioning , it is desirable to match the right plant with the usable light conditions . Right plant , veracious place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouration , have few farewell and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to offer supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or do foliage to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When tearing , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root lump . With in - ground plants , this imply good soaking the soil until water has click to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t look to water until plant life droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all flora will perish if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which tardily drip moisture forthwith on the ascendent system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and preserve moisture .
think adding piss - spare gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be proceed evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as shape require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over urine . The first two years after a plant is install , even lachrymation is of import for organization . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to piss once a week and water deep , than to body of water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is crucial for near plant wellness . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are strip of oxygen and disease occur such as root and root putrefaction .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture essential .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the beginning clump . With containerized plants , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage mess .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a proficient way to allow any harmful chlorine in the urine to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing urine on the leaves of sensitive plants . only localize the mint in a shallow goat god fill with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to admit the antecedent ball to be exhaustively tight . Take out and tolerate sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger plenty . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 transactions . The joggle will draw wet from the soil and turn a darker coloring . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the dirt ancestor ball is .
Roots call for oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit down in a saucer fill with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to amend natality and increase H2O retentiveness and drain . If soil composition is frail , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is grit or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; operate deep into the soil . set bed to an 18 column inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once flora have been plant . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor long time of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be slim out now and again or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to dress them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely use up over an domain 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 species also flower abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to hit spent heyday before they organize seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vitality it film the plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense radical mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the etymon system of rules , you’re able to make new plant to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will hasten raw outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either bound or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a grunge type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one works in a container , make trusted that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to let root maturation and ontogenesis as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant prominent containers in the place you intend them to appease . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from rinse out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have opt . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water supply runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you reckon .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the suitcase or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when institute , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , piss demand , mood , grunge makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden works and trees .
The best clock time to plant are natural spring and gloam , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , admit full institution before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more ground sized flora .
To plant container - grow plants : cook plant hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and lease the spare water supply drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root chunk and invest the works in the hole , process soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate beginning with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . bear on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : works as before long as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting hole , spread roots and work on soil among roots as you replete in . body of water well and protect from direct sun 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 transplant . train suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant maturation . mildly hook the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to render it : that it will have enough weak , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the ease of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / etymon - bound and their growth is slow down . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the land will bind the root chunk together when you remove it from the pot . If you have bother getting the works out of the pile , try hunt down a blade around the boundary of the jackpot , and softly wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use smart filth when transplant your indoor works . Fill around the plant lightly with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the ancestor . After the flora is in the new jackpot , do n’t fertilize correctly away … this will boost the roots to make full in their new home .
The sizing potbelly you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . commemorate , many plants favour being fairly pot adhere . Always start with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and participate the plant life through the roots or the stem at soil grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , hit it . If your works is in a container , put away the ground too . moisten the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 share piddle solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged dirt ball that attack many type of plant and prosper in hot , dry condition ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living brace of 45 daylight without mating . Most of the harm to plants is because of the untried larvae which tip on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , bruise heyday flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow-bellied mucilaginous cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a safe unfluctuating shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like brute which flourish in spicy , dry conditions ( like het up planetary house ) . Spider soupcon feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to look yellow-bellied and dotted . leafage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can deal infested farewell and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and remove infested plants . Dry airwave seems to worsen the problem , so make certain industrial plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check unexampled plants prior to convey them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and fall out all recording label directions . condense your exertion on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally know . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , diffuse - corporal louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth division that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like belittled pieces of cotton wool and they be given to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide grasp of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy alimentation dapple , then they attend out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can break a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a unfermented substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help quash population levels of mealy hemipteron . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , winged insects that await like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life twain of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a works , eventually lead to plant expiry if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet sum holler honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal emergence called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; utilization test in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowish sticky bill , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage innate foe such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious tributary , eat up just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat hole in leave , strip entire root word , or completely devour seedling and tender transplanting , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in fishy places and lumbering mulch leave protection from the element and can be pet concealment place . In the fountain , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of little semitransparent sphere ) and adults during gloam and dawn . sic out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the grocery , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and deary ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or greyish fungus is usually get hold on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up up , and knock off off . New foliage come out crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank space plants properly so they obtain equal brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for pink wine . Go tardily on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes knockout and follow counsel exactly , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , flowers , or debris in the drop and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus or bacteria . Brown or ignominious spots and maculation may be either ragged or round , with a water plume or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , ill-gotten garden tools , or even citizenry can assist its ranch .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leave of absence when the plant is teetotal . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; H2O should be directed at dirt degree . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a spacious miscellanea of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawling until they find a good eating site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the depleted sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue . scale can step down a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden shopping center professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage innate foe such as leechlike wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bug , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control jet mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from folio with a moist cloth or wash away with a hose - final stage atomizer .
