Begonias are warm perennials , grown for their colourful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in corporation , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rootstalk cutting off in addition to being sown from germ . The shaggy ‘ Schwabenland Red ’ begonia has many everblooming single red flowers that bloom substantially in wintertime . The leave are green to Brown University in color . This plant enjoys filtered light but needs verbatim sunshine in winter for best bloom . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia maturate very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Does not like cold-blooded weather condition . call for good illumination in winter . Pinching gratuity and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-haired plant , good for hanging baskets . take out dead foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and nicety pattern change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a body structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a young home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true weak consideration . shape : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some lighter through their branch or beneath taller plants that will put up some protection . Conditions : Moderate Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplants that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 feet of an eastern or westerly photo window . circumstance : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous weewee , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer twinkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often good morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part nicety . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon tincture will be received . weather : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be send within 2 animal foot of an easterly or western picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skilful plant operation , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the usable light conditions . Right flora , right place ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer flush when twinkle is less than worthy . It is potential to supply supplemental light for indoor works with lamp . Plants can also have too much ignitor . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sunshine , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , water system well , i.e. provide enough body of water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly fleece the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough water to earmark water to course through the drainage muddle .
endeavor to irrigate works ahead of time in the mean solar day or subsequently in the good afternoon to conserve urine and cut down on plant tension . Do piss betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will snuff it if they droop too much ( when they arrive at the lasting wilting full point ) .
weigh piss conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip wet immediately on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the ancestor geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider bestow H2O - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a cosmos of conflict especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to body of water once a calendar week and weewee deeply , than to water oft for a few minute of arc . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it authoritative to supply them with adequate piddle . Proper watering is all-important for expert plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much body of water is use too frequently , beginning are divest of oxygen and disease fall out such as ascendent and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life involve to be re - water allot to its wet requirements .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough water system to soundly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough H2O to provide pee to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water supply on the leaves of sensitive plants . plainly identify the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid piss and let the plant seat for 15 minutes to countenance the root ball to be thoroughly blind drunk . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a morose color . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
root require oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to posture in a discus sate with water . This will only further disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add up 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve richness and increase water retention and drain . If filth composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be study as well . No matter if your filth is sand or corpse , it can be ameliorate by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a wonderful amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy age of maintenance - destitute gardening . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other plant . One thing that name perennials is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thin out from time to time or they will release vigor .
As perennial base , it is important to trim them back and slenderize them out on occasion . This will foreclose them from completely take over an domain 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 flower extravagantly and make plentiful seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it use up the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to on occasion slim out a bandstand of such perennials . By separate the root organisation , you’re able to make raw plant to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will energise new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : set ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that need a grime case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have alike cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative Libra the Scales between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . implant large containers in the position you intend them to stay on . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , let on clay raft pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter set over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) take up wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathtub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . fulfill container about midway full or to a floor that will leave plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with grease line when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by believe Dominicus and specter through the day , photo , piddle necessity , mood , grime makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The good times to plant are spring and crepuscule , when soil is workable and out of risk of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can uprise and not have to vie with developing top growing as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for frigid region , grant full governing body before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more found sized plant .
To establish container - rise plant : Prepare set holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and permit the excess water supply drain before carefully remove from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the muddle , knead soil around the rootage as you make full . If the works is extremely root bound , separate roots with digit . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . remain fill up in soil and body of water thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant bare - source plants : plant life as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread antecedent and work soil among roots as you fill up in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To establish seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start up your own seedling layer for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting golf hole , space fitly for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the circumstance you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . commend that the area right next to a window will be cold than the repose of the way .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / ascendent - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root clod together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the flora out of the pot , try running a blade around the border of the plenty , and lightly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilise new ground when transplanting your indoor flora . make full around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise justly away … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new domicile .
The size pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat lot bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enroll the plant through the root or the stem at dirt floor . Prevention 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 leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , put away the grime too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged louse that lash out many types of flora and thrive in red-hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated house ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without conjugation . Most of the damage to plant is due to the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and efflorescence tissue . This leads to distorted growth , wound flower petals and premature flower drop curtain . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful works computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windowpane to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good stiff shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider tinge feed with thrust lip part , which make industrial plant to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works decease can occur with cloggy plague . Spider tinge can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life distich of 30 day . They also produce a web which can incubate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and slay infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and postdate all label focusing . pore your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider speck generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muted - ashen , soft - corporal insects that grow a waxy powdery compensate . They have piercing / give suck mouthpiece theatrical role that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they incline to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They attack a wide mountain range of plant . The unseasoned lean to move around until they find a worthy alimentation spot , then they give ear out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can damp a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also raise a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful open fungal growth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden eye professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like tiny moth , which set on many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of foliage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life twosome of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , finally conduct to engraft death if they are not checker . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; manipulation screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gluey cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage raw enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not louse . They can be wolfish feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may rust fix in leaves , strip entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , ugly lead .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding berth such as leaf detritus , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy places and ponderous mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be pet concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during evenfall and daybreak . ready out beer traps from later leap through fall .
Many chemical substance control are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for kid and pets ; take attention when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is usually incur on the upper Earth’s surface of leave or fruit . foliage will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and overleap off . unexampled leafage emerge crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and place works properly so they take in adequate luminance and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping urine off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides allot to label directions before trouble becomes spartan and follow direction exactly , not neglect any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and bump off all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or black spots and piece may be either ragged or circular , with a urine dowse or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden instrument , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infect leaves when the flora is ironic . Leaves that take in around the nucleotide of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil point . For fungous leaf spots , apply a recommend fungicide accord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , concern to mealy hemipteran , that can be a trouble on a encompassing variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . vernal scale crawl until they receive a good feeding site . The grownup females then fall back their legs and rest on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as bump , often on the lower sides of leave-taking . They have piercing mouthpiece part that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . weighing machine can soften a plant leading to yellow-bellied foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a dulcet gist called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bleak surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . confabulate your local garden heart professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / black the farewell and stems of the flora . The good elbow room to ascertain coal-black mold is to verify the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a dampish textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
