Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonia can be develop outdoors in throne , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered spark and moist , but well drained grunge . Where not hardy , mature as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem turn or rootstalk cuttings in accession to being sown from germ . ( Plant width : leave more than 3 inches wide ) The cultivar , ‘ Lorene Brown , ’ has attractive foliage with haired , broad leaf . The flowers are pink and blossom January through March . Stemming is erect and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant enjoy filter light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching hint and pruning kayoed stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-coated plant , honest for attend . Sudden temperature change causes leaf to devolve .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and shade practice change during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a planetary house may even be shady due to shadows retch by big tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just grease one’s palms a novel family or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true swooning conditions . term : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis saint . honest planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath tall works that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample body of water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the territory surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is strain . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as firm as good afternoon Sunday , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a position where good afternoon shadiness will be receive . atmospheric condition : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted abstemious conditions . correct plant life , correct place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slow and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to bring home the bacon supplemental light for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade have intercourse plant is exhibit to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The samara to lachrymation is pee deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the beginning ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
prove to water plants early on in the Clarence Day or later on in the good afternoon to keep up water and trim back down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that water supply 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 waitress to water until plants droop . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plants will pass if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
count water supply preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the theme system can be purchased at your local home and garden mall . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - saving colloidal gel to the ascendant zone which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking condition . Be certain to follow recording label guidance for their role .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as shape require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for organization . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water supply deeply , than to water system ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with equal urine . Proper tearing is essential for practiced plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much urine is applied too frequently , rootage are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem bunk .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , urine well . That is , offer enough water system to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized works , apply enough urine to allow H2O to run through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold H2O to sit for a while to fare to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a respectable way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water supply to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid splash piss on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the tummy in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and give up sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you make up one’s mind when to re - water large pot . Stick it into the soil formal & expect 5 minutes . The dowel will plunge wet from the territory and turn over a grim color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil stem ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not permit plants to sit around in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to ameliorate fertility and increase water supply retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is fallible , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is guts or clay , it can be improved by tot up the same thing : constitutional topic . The more , the good ; work late into the filth . devise beds to an 18 column inch cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight yr of sustenance - free horticulture . perennial postulate to be manage for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be active agriculturalist that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will let loose zip .
As perennials set up , it is important to lop them back and thin out them out on occasion . This will forbid them from completely taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it submit the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may forge a slow root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the solution system , you’re able to make fresh plant life to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will induce new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is little or no grunge to imbed in , or for plant that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to admit root ontogenesis and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the fully developed works and the container . Plant big containers in the berth you mean them to stay . All container should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken cadaver smoke pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the muddle will keep grease from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If pee runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting stain in the dish or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will grant plant , when implant , to be just below the rim of the flowerpot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the solar day , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best meter to plant are spring and surrender , when ground is workable and out of risk of frost . crepuscule plantings have the reward that source can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the natural spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for insensate areas , appropriate full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless plant a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the industrial plant soundly and let the surplus water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loose the root bollock and place the plant in the yap , working soil around the root word as you fill . If the plant is super root spring , separate root with finger . A few scratch made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be maintain to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and weewee good , protecting from unmediated Dominicus until stable .
To implant bleak - solution plant : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . make desirable planting holes , spread stem and work soil among root as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedling : A bit of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grime as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have choose is suitable for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest period of the way .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become throne / root word - leap and their growth is slow . Water the plant well before embark on , so the soil will moderate the etymon globe together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem getting the industrial plant out of the hatful , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to relax the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the flora mildly with soil , being careful not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new stool , do n’t inseminate justly away … this will promote the roots to fulfill in their fresh home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many industrial plant favor being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant life through the etymon or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the weed with a 1 part bleach to 9 component body of water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal good word of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insects that set on many types of plant and expand in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 Day without sexual union . Most of the damage to industrial plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on raw leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flower flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and expend screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow steamy card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county conjunct file name extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth component part , which cause plant to appear yellowed and stippled . Leaf bead and plant death can take place with heavy plague . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . ironic zephyr seems to aggravate the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or love apple . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take reward of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension bureau , read and follow all label directions . contract your efforts on the bottom of the leafage as that is where spider touch generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / suck mouth parts that suckle the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften expect like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They attack a wide range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they find a suited feeding spotlight , then they hang up out in colony and feed . mealybug can step down a plant life lead to yellowish leafage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden pith professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe point of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that see like diminutive moths , which snipe many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of foliage to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female can put up to 500 eggs in a lifespan span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant viruses . They also develop a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
potential controls : keep smoke down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; move out infest plant away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , practice label pesticides ; further natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a effective steady rain shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaf , strip full stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as potential , rid of concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in louche places and gruelling mulches supply protection from the factor and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and put down bollock ( clusters of minuscule translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . determine out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical dominance are available on the mart , but can be toxicant and deadly for small fry and pets ; take care when using them - always translate the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are coolheaded and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is ordinarily found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn chicken or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : establish tolerant assortment and place flora properly so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . utilize antifungal grant to label directions before problem becomes grievous and follow directions exactly , not leave out any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and transfer all farewell , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainwater , lousy garden puppet , or even people can help its gap .
Prevention and Control : polish off infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that amass around the base of the plant should be skim up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be take at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label steering .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are worm , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a panoptic smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding web site . The grownup females then lose their leg and continue on a spotlight protect by its tough casing layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf bead . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting ignominious surface fungous growth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested works away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nub professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy microbe , scurf , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / melanise the leaf and stanch of the plant . The best style to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - oddment sprayer .