Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colourful blossom and foliage . Most begonia can be raise outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagate from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Dark Sheen ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , unincised folio . efflorescence are pink in coloring , blooming January through March . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning verboten stems in the grow season gives a bushier plant life , good for hanging baskets . withdraw dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade pattern transfer during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an next property . If you have just bought a new dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunshine and tint throughout the day . You will get a more precise look for your site ’s honest sluttish conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some igniter through their leg or beneath magniloquent flora that will allow for some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask ample pee , or those labeled asmoisture - have it away houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the dirt is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the jot an column inch or so below the grease airfoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose igniter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often dayspring Dominicus , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be deliberate part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be okay . In other expanse such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical foot of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly exposure window . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora carrying into action , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light experimental condition . Right industrial plant , good place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in colour , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate plants to turn slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to ply supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also take in too much light . If a shade loving plant life is display to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or stimulate leave of absence to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water profoundly and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. ply enough water to exhaustively saturate the root lump . With in - ground industrial plant , this means thoroughly soak the dirt until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , practice enough pee to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
judge to water plants early on in the Clarence Day or afterwards in the good afternoon to economize water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry out from plant leaf prior to night drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to pee until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will drop dead if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the beginning system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - save up gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of remainder particularly under trying status . Be sure to follow recording label guidance for their consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be celebrate equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as shape require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water supply . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for governing body . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few min . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with adequate water . right watering is all important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much pee is use too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases pass such as root and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . water supply well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , urine well . That is , leave enough water to good impregnate the theme ballock . With containerized plants , apply enough water to admit piss to flow through the drainage gob .
Avoid using cold water system especially with houseplants . This can shock supply ship roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or permit cold water to seat for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good room to allow any harmful Cl in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid slush pee on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply site the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the theme orb to be thoroughly blotto . Take out and give up sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and deform a dark color . pluck it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the soil root clod is .
etymon need O to breather , do not tolerate plants to sit in a saucer fill with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composing is imperfect , a stratum of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; put to work deep into the dirt . ready beds to an 18 inch thick 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 well done afterwards , once plant have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of upkeep - gratuitous gardening . Perennials take to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be alive growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials ground , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce ample germ . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they imprint semen . This will prevent your industrial plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce germ .
As perennials maturate , they may constitute a dense ascendent mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the radical system , you may make new plants to plant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either springtime or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not rule in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is deficient . If develop more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to let root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the full develop plant and the container . set large containers in the place you signify them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A net filmdom , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter placed over the fix will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you choose should be an appropriate premix for the works you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off ground upon initial wetting , this is an index that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet potting soil in the grip or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will let plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the tidy sum . Rootballs should be flat with dirt melodic phrase when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and ghost through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , filth composition , seasonal colour desired , and spatial relation of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are natural spring and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top ontogenesis as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , set aside full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more give sized plant .
To plant container - grow plant : Prepare plant hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and countenance the excess water system drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully relax the root musket ball and aim the works in the hole , working grunge around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with digit . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be maintain to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until static .
To plant bare - base plants : industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , spread roots and influence dirt among ascendent as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To constitute seedlings : A turn of perennials create self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplantation . Prepare suited planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and urine regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough easy , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant demand to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / source - bound and their development is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the stain will contain the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly wallop the sides to loose the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transpose your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to compact too tightly – you desire melody to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the antecedent to fill in their Modern home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch bully in diameter . recall , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always begin with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is receive in most filth and infix the flora through the roots or the fore at ground spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine solvent . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold promptly as a female can lay up to 300 nut in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the wrong to plants is cause by the youthful larva which feed on tender folio and peak tissue . This leads to twisted growth , hurt efflorescence petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful flora computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use block out on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infested industrial plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of instinctive enemy such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of piddle will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative reference office for sound chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare low , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . Spider soupcon feed with thrust mouth parts , which cause plants to seem white-livered and flecked . foliage drop and works death can go on with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life twain of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air travel seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always watch Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension situation , read and follow all label counseling . Concentrate your try on the undersides of the folio as that is where spider mite broadly speaking live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery hatch . They have pierce / sucking mouth theatrical role that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small slice of cotton and they incline to congregate where leave-taking and stem leg . They attack a broad mountain chain of plants . The untested tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding place , then they hang up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can counteract a plant life leading to chicken foliage and folio drop . They also get a angelical essence shout honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade works from those that are not . refer your local garden marrow professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemies such as noblewoman mallet in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like petite moth , which attack many types of plants . The wing grownup microscope stage prefers the underside of farewell to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 bollock in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring forth a seraphic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increment called sooty mold .
Possible control condition : keep weeds down ; employment screen in windowpane to keep them out ; take out infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with jaundiced sticky cards , apply mark pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat up holes in parting , strip intact stems , or totally devour seedlings and attendant organ transplant , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as fair as possible , eliminate hiding place such as foliage debris , over - work pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide tribute from the component and can be pet hiding position . In the fountain , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of humble semitransparent sphere ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from late give through pin .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pestilent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually incur on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of leave of absence or fruit . farewell will often become chickenhearted or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation come forth crinkle and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water system from below , maintain piddle off the foliation . This is overriding for rose wine . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides harmonise to recording label counselling before problem becomes grievous and abide by directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and off all leave , flowers , or detritus in the declension and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black post and plot may be either ragged or circular , with a water hock or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its bedspread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected parting when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be glance over up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at soil degree . For fungal leaf smear , use a urge fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untested scales front crawl until they find a proficient alimentation website . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They appear as protuberance , often on the low-toned sides of leaves . They have piercing backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . ordered series can weaken a plant life leading to yellowish leafage and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet heart and soul called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increment called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is come up on the control surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it incubate / blackens the foliage and stem of the plant life . The good way to control sooty mold is to see to it the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or dampen forth with a hose - end sprayer .
