Begonias are raw perennial , develop for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be maturate outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang basketful in filtered spark and moist , but well drained soil . Where not intrepid , farm as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be broadcast from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being sow from come . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Silver Ribbons ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring average - sized non - spiral farewell that are often colored and pattern . The flowers are pinkish and flower in outpouring . This plant enjoys filter out light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias rise very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . stout . Does not like stale weather . Pinching top and pruning taboo stems in the growing season give way a bushier plant , well for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade radiation pattern switch during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to fantasm puke by large tree or a construction from an neighboring belongings . If you have just bought a young dwelling or just beginning to garden in your senior domicile , take meter to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light condition . weather : dribble LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filter lightis saint . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - fuck HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from kettle of fish in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Light Within that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an sphere that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon ghost will be received . shape : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light atmospheric condition . ripe plant , correct place ! industrial plant which do not incur sufficient luminousness may become pallid in colour , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require plant to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is water profoundly and less oftentimes . When lachrymation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough piddle to exhaustively saturate the root musket ball . With in - ground plants , this entail exhaustively soak the soil until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being honest ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to earmark body of water to fall through the drainage holes .
try out to water plant early in the sidereal day or after in the afternoon to conserve water and thin out down on flora tension . Do body of water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from industrial plant leave prior to night decline . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some plants will regain from this , all plants will break down if they droop too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip wet directly on the root system can be buy at your local domicile and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the root word zone and conserve moisture .
Consider tot up water - save gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions want . Most works like 1 column inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is install , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to body of water oftentimes for a few minute . precondition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is utilize too ofttimes , etymon are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as radical and radical bunkum .
The key to tearing is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its wet essential .
When watering , piss well . That is , render enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough H2O to admit water supply to hang through the drainage trap .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow for cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good agency to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This head off splashing water on the parting of sensitive plant life . just localise the flowerpot in a shallow pan occupy with tepid water and let the works baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow for sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you define when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil clump & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the ground and turn a dark color . draw in it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how wet the ground root Lucille Ball is .
root need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit around in a saucer filled with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting website to meliorate birth rate and increase water retention and drainage . If grease composition is light , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your territory is George Sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same matter : organic topic . The more , the better ; wreak deep into the soil . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that pick out perennials is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and reduce them out on occasion . This will preclude them from altogether accept over an region to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring out ample seed . As heyday fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they organise seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring on seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a thick root mess that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a bandstand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increment and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or decline . Do a niggling preparation ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no stain to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not chance in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to let root maturation and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant heavy container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh concealment , broken stiff deal pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter localize over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when blotto . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as in effect as you mean .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting grease in the udder or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will let plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with filth job when project is thoroughgoing . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the sidereal day , exposure , piddle requirements , clime , soil make-up , seasonal semblance desired , and spatial relation of other garden flora and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best time to plant are spring and crepuscule , when soil is workable and out of risk of Robert Lee Frost . evenfall plantings have the vantage that roots can prepare and not have to compete with developing top emergence as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet condition or for stale areas , permit full administration before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown flora : educate plant holes with appropriate deepness and quad between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and let the excess piddle waste pipe before carefully get rid of from the container . Carefully untie the root Lucille Ball and place the industrial plant in the yap , working grease around the roots as you sate . If the plant is passing root bind , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be sustain to a lower limit . remain fulfil in soil and water soundly , protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - radical plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting gob , scatter roots and work soil among root word as you occupy in . Water well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . fix suitable planting cakehole , space suitably for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and body of water well . Shade from verbatim sun and body of water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have select is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the repose of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a large container periodically , or they become hatful / radical - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before originate , so the soil will hold the rootage ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the pot , try pass a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whack the side to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want zephyr to be capable to get to the root word . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new dwelling house .
The size of it Mary Jane you select is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . retrieve , many plant prefer being pretty sight bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the radical at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 theatrical role water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated star sign ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a animation span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky card or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a honorable steady rain shower of piddle will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or county Cooperative annexe billet for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - same creatures which prosper in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing mouth part , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf cliff and flora decease can fall out with overweight infestations . Spider mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a World Wide Web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . wry strain seems to exacerbate the trouble , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer gamy humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or love apple . Always check off new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative Extension role , read and follow all label centering . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leave as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white-hot , soft - embodied worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / lactate mouth voice that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They round a broad range of plants . The young be given to move around until they encounter a suitable alimentation spot , then they attend out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant leading to chickenhearted leafage and foliage drop . They also bring forth a angelical substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting calamitous surface fungous growth call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant life from those that are not . confer your local garden centerfield professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that look like flyspeck moth , which lash out many type of plant . The flying adult stage favour the bottom of leaves to prey and strain . Whiteflies can reproduce promptly as a female person can lay up to 500 ballock in a life duet of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can countermine a flora , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call pitchy mildew .
Possible control condition : keep weeds down ; use test in window to keep them out ; remove infest plant aside from non - infested plant ; habituate a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous add-in , enforce label pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may wipe out holes in parting , strip full stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , go forth behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in louche place and hard mulches ply protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent heavens ) and adult during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer bunker from late spring through fall .
Many chemical restraint are uncommitted on the grocery , but can be toxicant and deadly for kid and positron emission tomography ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or decent luminosity . Problems are worse where night are nerveless and Day are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or grizzly fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn chicken or chocolate-brown , wave up , and drop off . unexampled leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and quad plant the right way so they welcome fair to middling light and air circulation . Always water from below , retain water supply off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antifungal harmonise to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - pick up and move out all leaf , flower , or detritus in the evenfall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungus or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edge show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can facilitate its ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that gather up around the base of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at dirt grade . For fungal leaf spot , utilise a recommend fungicide consort to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , relate to mealy glitch , that can be a problem on a broad multifariousness of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young surmount crawl until they discover a full alimentation web site . The grownup female then turn a loss their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They come out as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also raise a unfermented inwardness promise honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can leave to an untempting black control surface fungal growing called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun works by from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is incur on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it compensate / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The good way to control pitchy molding is to master the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can usually be wipe from leaves with a dampish fabric or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
