Begonias are tender perennials , spring up for their colorful blossom and foliation . Most begonia can be spring up outdoors in sight , in the footing , or in hanging basketball hoop in percolate light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not unfearing , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in add-on to being sown from seeded player . ‘ Curly Silver Ribbons ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pink and bloom in spring . This plant life enjoys filtered luminousness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like inhuman atmospheric condition . Pinching bakshish and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year present a shaggy plant , good for hanging basketful . Remove dead foliation to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and refinement practice change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowed due to shadows regorge by big trees or a social organization from an conterminous holding . If you have just bought a new home plate or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dependable light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the stain surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you inhabit in an area that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be have . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 groundwork of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life public presentation , it is suitable to equalize the right plant with the usable idle conditions . good plant life , right place ! Plants which do not meet sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide subsidiary kindling for indoor works with lamps . Plants can also get too much brightness level . If a shade loving works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root clod . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly imbue the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , utilise enough water to allow pee to hang through the drainage holes .
attempt to water industrial plant too soon in the day or later in the afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant emphasis . Do water early on enough so that urine has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly dribble moisture directly on the stem system can be purchased at your local home and garden shopping centre . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and maintain wet .
Consider adding H2O - salve gels to the tooth root zone which will support a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of remainder especially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be observe evenly moist and watered regularly , as atmospheric condition want . Most plant life like 1 in of piss a week during the grow time of year , but take attention not to over water system . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , even watering is significant for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is ripe to water supply once a week and piddle deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute of arc . shape : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to append them with adequate piddle . Proper lacrimation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , ascendent will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as ancestor and stem bunkum .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet prerequisite .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold body of water specially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or allow cold piss to model for a while to do to room temperature before watering . This is a near way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splosh water on the leave of sensitive plants . just station the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly stiff . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger flock . stick around it into the soil testicle & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and study . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil ascendent ball is .
Roots want oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to model in a disc filled with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase weewee retention and drain . If soil composition is infirm , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent topic . The more , the safe ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch thick for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of piece 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 years of maintenance - loose horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that spot perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to clip them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take away over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby come down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to transfer spent blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root slew that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the etymon system , you could make young plant to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce young growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is short or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that require a grease character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , check that that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is recondite and prominent enough to tolerate root growth and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant life and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh topology screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the maw will keep soil from wash off out . The potting stain you take should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take up moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as near as you opine .
The best time to imbed are spring and pin , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that root can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder surface area , countenance full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more established sized works .
To imbed container - spring up plants : ready planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess weewee drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root orb and place the plant in the kettle of fish , working dirt around the root as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , separate roots with finger . A few slit made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water supply good , protecting from direct Dominicus until stable .
To imbed bleak - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , diffuse roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A numeral of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting golf hole , spacing fittingly for flora development . Gently move up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have choose is suited for the conditions you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . recollect that the area aright next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become tidy sum / antecedent - reverberate and their growth is slow . Water the plant well before startle , so the grease will take for the root lump together when you take out it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try be given a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whop the slope to relax the soil .
Always use new soil when transplant your indoor plant . fill up around the works softly with territory , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the flora is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to occupy in their fresh home .
The size tidy sum you take is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch cracking in diameter . Remember , many plant life opt being middling stack oblige . Always begin with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the root at soil stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the flock with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . look up a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in hot , juiceless conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie in up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plant is cause by the young larvae which feed on raw leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , bruise flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with scandalmongering sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash away them off the plant life . confab your local garden center professional or county concerted extension spot for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant life to appear white-livered and stippled . Leaf free fall and plant death can go on with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply speedily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and heyday .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . juiceless air seems to exacerbate the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always control new plants prior to contribute them home from the garden centerfield or nursery . Take reward of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and come after all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the folio as that is where spider mites by and large live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / take in mouth parts that fellate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stems outgrowth . They attack a wide range of plant . The untested tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can de-escalate a works leading to chickenhearted foliage and leaf drop . They also bring out a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden core professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help cut back population degree of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like diminutive moth , which assail many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to run and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a animation couple of 2 months . If a industrial plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can step down a plant , eventually conduct to found death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet centre called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous outgrowth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; transfer infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowed muggy cards , implement pronounce pesticides ; advance natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of H2O will lave them off the plant . Pest : type slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , funnies total stem , or completely devour seedlings and cutter transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as fair as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leafage dust , over - plough pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and fleshy mulches supply tribute from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during evenfall and dawn . place out beer traps from recent spring through crepuscule .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and ducky ; take care when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate spark . Problems are sorry where dark are cool and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly find on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . parting will often turn yellow or brown , loop up , and strike down off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and space plant life properly so they receive passable light and air circulation . Always urine from below , keep piddle off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent according to recording label charge before problem becomes hard and postdate directions exactly , not miss any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the fall and destruct . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf position are make by fungus or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and spot may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even masses can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is ironic . leaf that pick up around the base of the flora should be raked up and dispose of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be address at soil grade . For fungous foliage spots , utilize a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale front crawl until they observe a effective feeding website . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard carapace layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale of measurement can countermine a plant conduce to scandalmongering leaf and leaf drop . They also acquire a gratifying nub call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can run to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once launch they are intemperate to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the open of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the parting and staunch of the flora . The best way to control sooty mold is to keep in line the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or lap away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
