begonia are crank perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be acquire outdoors in mess , in the background , or in fall basket in filtered visible light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not intrepid , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be broadcast from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in improver to being sown from seed . ‘ Bokit ’ maturate from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , whorled leaves . The blossom are wanton pinkish and bloom in wintertime . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias arise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care stale weather . purloin tips and pruning outer stem in the grow season pass on a shaggy-coated plant , good for hanging basket . transfer dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade rule change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by tumid tree or a social system from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a new family or just get to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map out Dominicus and tad throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s true light term . Conditions : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partially umbrageous condition , filtered lightis ideal . unspoiled planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree diagram that rent some illumination through their branches or beneath tall plant that will allow for some protection . atmospheric condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of tree or shadows cast by a house or building . plant life that expect full specter are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree may pose extra trouble ; not only is there no light , but contention for piddle , nutrients and beginning space .
fond shademeans that an area receives filter clear , often through grandiloquent branches of an open growing tree . Root competition is normally less . Partial spook can also be reach by locate a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - comparable structure . Shadier side of a construction are normally the northern or northeasterly sides . These sides also tend to be a little tank . It is not rare for plants that can stick out full sun or some Dominicus in cool mood to call for some shade in tender climates due to stress placed on the plant from repress moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - know HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those label asmoisture - have it away houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from fix in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting filth becomes dry to the feeling an column inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the base peak of a untested plant life to promote separate . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning afterward on .
Thinning affect transfer whole branch back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more illumination in and to increase aura circulation that can foreshorten down on plant disease . The good way to get down thinning is to start by murder utter or diseased wood .
Shearing is level the airfoil of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to preserve the want shape of a hedgerow or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of quondam branches or the overall decrease of the sizing of a bush to reconstruct its original grade and size of it . It is commend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a meter . recollect to take away branches from the interior of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that works will have a more natural feel . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , ripe berth ! Plants which do not encounter sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to acquire slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to furnish supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade have a go at it plant is expose to lineal sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to tearing is water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , piddle well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , lend oneself enough weewee to appropriate water to course through the drainage kettle of fish .
strain to water plants ahead of time in the day or by and by in the afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on flora stress . Do weewee early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry from plant life folio prior to dark fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they pass on the lasting wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly chill the root zona and conserve wet .
take adding water - bring through gels to the source zone which will carry a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of divergence specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the grow season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piddle once a hebdomad and piddle deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease come about such as root and stem guff .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the flora needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water supply well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough urine to permit water to fall through the drainage holes .
deflect using cold water system especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or admit cold water supply to sit for a while to add up to board temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This debar splashing water on the leaf of tender flora . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minute to allow the root musket ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to assist you determine when to re - water magnanimous tidy sum . deposit it into the territory ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the filth stem ball is .
radical need O to breath , do not let plant to sit in a dish antenna filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil composing is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . gear up bed to an 18 inch recondite for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once plants have been ground . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight yr of maintenance - innocent gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant life . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally take over an domain to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby keep down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower copiously and produce plentiful semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they spring seminal fluid . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant to farm germ .
As perennials mature , they may form a dumb root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to now and again thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the radical system , you may make new flora to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir new ontogenesis and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully dissever in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root ball and recondite enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is piteous , dig hole out even wider and fill with a mixture half original territory and half compost or grease amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side face forward . fulfill in with original soil or an amended mixture if necessitate as identify above . For larger shrubs , build a body of water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the works is ball - and - burlapped , remove holdfast and fold back the top of natural gunny , pucker it down into golf hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . Make certain that all burlap is bury so that it wo n’t wick piss away from rootball during hot , dry period . If man-made burlap , murder if potential . If not possible , cut aside or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the new soil . For large shrubs , make a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the stain parentage was . If grime is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drain and water supply retention capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to endorse bush . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plants that require a grunge type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root developing and emergence as well as proportional balance between the in full developed works and the container . set with child container in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screenland , relegate clay toilet pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) take up moisture readily and evenly when pissed . If water system runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as unspoiled as you think .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil cable when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and nuance through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , piss requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal coloring material desire , and posture of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are spring and decline , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . gloaming plantings have the advantage that roots can build up and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike besotted conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : organise imbed golf hole with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant soundly and permit the supererogatory water supply drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously undo the root ball and set the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fulfil . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . bear on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Dominicus until unchanging .
To plant bare - ascendant plants : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . train suitable planting holes , spread roots and work grease among beginning as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial acquire ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . educate suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant ontogenesis . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming ground with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from verbatim sun and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the shape you are able to provide it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will care . call back that the area mightily next to a windowpane will be colder than the relief of the way .
Indoor plant need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the grunge will hold the rootage ball together when you slay it from the crapper . If you have trouble get the plant life out of the flowerpot , try on run a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor flora . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being thrifty not to tamp too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the roots to meet in their new place .
The size of it pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat good deal bond . Always start with a unclouded potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the land too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water answer . Fungicides can be used , grant to label guidance . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is cause by the untested larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to perverted growth , injured blossom petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of lifelike enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a salutary steady shower of water system will dampen them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated theatre ) . Spider mites run with piercing sassing parting , which cause plants to seem white-livered and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 nut in a life story twosome of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so make certain plant are regularly water , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to contribute them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and conform to all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dim - white , delicate - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and staunch branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they ascertain a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can counteract a works take to xanthous foliage and folio fall . They also produce a unfermented centre promise honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an unattractive fatal Earth’s surface fungal emergence call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid shrink population point of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that calculate like tiny moth , which assail many types of plant . The vanish adult leg prefers the bottom of foliage to feed and strain . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life distich of 2 months . If a industrial plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing worm when the works is touch . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to establish death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also create a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous surface fungous growth called pitchy mould .
Possible ascendence : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; murder infest plants away from non - infested plants ; practice a pondering mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular exhibitioner of urine will wash away 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 extremely scented . They may corrode holes in leaves , strip show entire stems , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , annihilate concealing places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and toilsome mulches supply protection from the elements and can be favored hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and ruin ball ( bunch of belittled translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and deadly for baby and favorite ; take care when using them - always read the recording 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 nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leave of absence or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and devolve off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plant by rights so they incur passable igniter and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . implement antimycotic agent allot to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any need discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black dapple and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle fleece or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden shaft , or even multitude can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and chuck out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label counseling .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding website . The adult female then lose their pegleg and stay on a speckle protected by its operose shell bed . They appear as bulge , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a dulcet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is establish on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The right way to see to it jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or wash away with a hose - destruction atomiser .
