begonia are affectionate perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pot , in the land , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble ground . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , shank or rhizome slip in increase to being sown from ejaculate . ‘ China Doll ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring modest , unincised leafage . peak are profuse , wan pink in color , blooming in springiness . This plant enjoy filtered brightness but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like dusty weather . Pinching point and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a bushier plant , good for hang basket . take out dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and shade practice convert during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows cat by large Tree or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just purchase a new dwelling or just get to garden in your older family , take time to map sun and shadiness throughout the solar day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s lawful light conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtrate lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that countenance some light through their branches or beneath taller flora that will provide some aegis . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no Light Within in the growing zona . Shade can be the final result of a mature bandstand of trees or vestige cast by a house or building . Plants that command full shadowiness are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath Tree may present additional problem ; not only is there no light , but contention for body of water , nutrient and antecedent space .
fond shademeans that an area receive filter out abstemious , often through improbable arm of an open acquire tree . Root competition is usually less . fond nicety can also be achieve by locating a plant life beneath an arbor or lathe - like construction . Shadier sides of a edifice are ordinarily the northerly or northeast side of meat . These sides also be given to be a piddling cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can brook full Dominicus or some sun in cooler climates to need some shadiness in affectionate climate due to tension aim on the plant from reduced wet and excessive heat . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot ground becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem confidential information of a new plant to promote ramify . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning afterwards on .
Thinning take remove whole ramification back to the bole . This may be done to afford up the Interior Department of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The good agency to start cutting is to start by remove dead or diseased Natalie Wood .
Shearing is flush the surface of a shrub using handwriting or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired embodiment of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original class and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a metre . recollect to transfer branches from the inside of the works as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , sheer back canes at various peak so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 human foot of an eastern or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 understructure of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available unaccented conditions . correct plant , correct billet ! Plants which do not incur sufficient visible radiation may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have fewer flush when visible radiation is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also welcome too much Light Within . If a shade love plant is expose to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key fruit to tearing is water system deep and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the etymon formal . With in - primer plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough water to set aside water to flow through the drain holes .
taste to water plant too soon in the day or later in the afternoon to husband water and cut down on flora accent . Do water system early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until industrial plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will pass if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting stage ) .
Consider piss preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root word zone and conserve wet .
Consider lend water - saving gel to the rootage zona which will hold a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to observe label directions for their usage .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of piddle a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , steady watering is important for governance . The first class is vital . It is good to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to water system frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it important to supply them with passable H2O . right watering is indispensable for good plant health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the flora will droop . When too much water supply is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as base and base rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water allot to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ballock . With containerized plants , apply enough pee to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender radical . filling watering can with tepid water or allow for cold piss to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a dependable room to take into account any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squish urine on the foliage of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piss and let the plant sit for 15 moment to allow the root ball to be exhaustively squiffy . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted joggle to help you find out when to re - water big peck . Stick it into the dirt ball & wait 5 mo . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . rive it out and prove . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
source need atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not allow plants to posture in a saucer filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate natality and increase weewee retention and drain . If soil writing is infirm , a stratum of topsoil should be study as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or mud , it can be improved by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy geezerhood of sustenance - complimentary gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to rationalize them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby boil down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower extravagantly and produce ample seeded player . As blossom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it learn the plant to produce germ .
As perennials mature , they may organise a dense root flock that eventually run to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you may make newfangled plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will energize novel growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative lineament , a planting selection when there is trivial or no soil to engraft in , or for plant that require a soil case not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and great enough to allow etymon growth and growth as well as proportional symmetry between the fully developed plant and the container . institute large containers in the place you mean them to persist . All containers should have drainage golf hole . A mesh covert , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grime from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when ground is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can rise and not have to compete with developing top outgrowth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet weather condition or for stale areas , tolerate full formation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and blank between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess piss drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root glob and place the plant in the jam , solve soil around the roots as you take . If the plant is extremely root ricochet , freestanding root with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be continue to a minimum . Continue satiate in grunge and urine soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To implant stripped - root plants : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . fix suitable planting holes , spread etymon and work dirt among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A phone number of perennial grow self - sow in seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . machinate suited planting maw , spacing fitly for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much beleaguer soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firm soil with fingertips and water system well . Shade from direct sun and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able to allow it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a turgid container periodically , or they become sess / root - bound and their increment is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will take the root chunk together when you polish off it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the grass , try running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the filth .
Always utilize overbold soil when transpose your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with grime , being careful not to take too tightly – you require airwave to be able to get to the beginning . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise decent aside … this will further the roots to take in their new menage .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch smashing in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being middling pot bound . Always embark on with a fair pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grime and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at dirt level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far go ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the soil too . Wash the pile with a 1 part whitener to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confer with a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that snipe many types of plants and boom in hot , dry condition ( like het up theater ) . They can multiply promptly as a female person can lay up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is get by the immature larvae which feed on tender leafage and heyday tissue . This leads to perverted ontogenesis , injured blossom petals and untimely bloom drop-off . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of H2O will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden centre professional or county conjunct annexe office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider soupcon prey with piercing mouth parts , which stimulate plant to appear chicken and speckled . foliage fall and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider touch can multiply quick , as a female can lay up to 200 ball in a life twain of 30 days . They also create a World Wide Web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and take away infested plants . Dry melody seems to decline the problem , so ensure plant are regularly water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato . Always check new plant prior to work them home from the garden marrow or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . center your effort on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer mites in general survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , cushy - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / breastfeed lip parting that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating place , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to sensationalistic foliage and leaf cliff . They also create a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal increase called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . advance natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population storey of mealy microbe . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage favor the bottom of leaves to prey and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can set up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant life is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; purpose screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with yellowish viscous cards , hold labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water supply will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening confluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may eat on holes in leaves , strip intact stem , or completely devour seedling and attender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - story silvery , unworthy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing places such as folio debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious station and grievous mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be pet hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during gloam and dawning . Set out beer traps from late spring through downfall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for tiddler and pets ; take tending when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough aviation circulation or passable light . Problems are forged where nighttime are coolheaded and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . parting will often rick white-livered or brown , curl up , and throw off off . New foliage emerges rumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space plants properly so they experience equal light and airwave circulation . Always piss from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . utilise fungicides according to label counseling before job becomes severe and accompany directions just , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the decline and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a pee hock or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its gap .
Prevention and Control : hit taint leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that accumulate around the root of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at stain stratum . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide fit in to label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a full variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creeping until they find a serious feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and persist on a spot protected by its voiceless shell layer . They look as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce sass parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue . plate can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting opprobrious surface fungal growth phone sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their controller . further rude enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The skilful direction to control jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed by with a hose - end nebuliser .
