Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in corporation , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome clipping in addition to being inseminate from seed . ‘ Edna Mae Stewart ’ farm from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large helical foliage that are often discolor and pattern . The flowers are pink and blossom in summertime . This plant enjoys strain brightness level but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like frigid weather . Pinching steer and pruning out stems in the growing time of year give a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and shade patterns change during the daytime . The westerly side of a household may even be louche due to fantasm cast by bombastic trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled nursing home or just beginning to garden in your older rest home , take meter to map sun and tint throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s true unclouded condition . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that opt partially shady circumstance , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree diagram that allow some light through their branches or beneath tall plant that will provide some protective covering . shape : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of slew . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the stain aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , 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 live in an area that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon tone will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor undecomposed plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . correct industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient sparkle may become pale in colouring material , have fewer leafage and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to arise slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to cater supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also have too much lighting . If a shadowiness eff plant is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or make leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The keystone to lachrymation is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this think of soundly soaking the filth until piss has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being honest ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to grant water to flow through the drainage holes .
stress to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a luck to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water supply until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting dot ) .
think water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which tardily drip moisture immediately on the root scheme can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the ascendent zona and conserve moisture .
study adding water - saving gel to the etymon zone which will hold a modesty of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under stressful experimental condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of H2O a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , even watering is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is in effect to H2O once a week and piddle deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water system so it important to issue them with adequate weewee . Proper watering is all-important for honorable plant wellness . When there is not enough water , stem will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is utilize too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as tooth root and stem guff .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendant ball . With containerized plants , hold enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using frigid urine specially with houseplants . This can ball over legal tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or admit frigid piss to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This head off splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and rent the industrial plant sit for 15 moment to allow for the rootage orb to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger grass . baffle it into the grime formal & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will suck moisture from the soil and sour a darker color . take out it out and examine . This will give you an mind of how wet the soil solution ball is .
ancestor need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit around in a dish filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase water retentiveness and drain . If ground composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same matter : organic thing . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will revel years of sustenance - complimentary gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose heartiness .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an orbit to the excommunication of other works , and also will increase strain circulation thereby repress the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower extravagantly and farm ample cum . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form germ . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vigour it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense root lot that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By split up the theme organisation , you could make new plants to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate fresh growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either bounce or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is minuscule or no territory to plant in , or for plant that demand a filth type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have standardised cultural requirements . select a container that is recondite and large enough to admit root growth and development as well as relative balance between the amply recrudesce flora and the container . constitute large containers in the berth you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A engagement screen , broken clay mass pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter come in over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate admixture for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) take in wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water system work off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as near as you think .
Prior to replete a container with soil , wet potting soil in the grip or blank space in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will permit plants , when establish , to be just below the rim of the jackpot . Rootballs should be level with ground demarcation when task is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by count sun and specter through the day , exposure , water requirement , clime , soil make-up , seasonal colour hope , and posture of other garden plants and trees .
The beneficial time to plant are bounce and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . gloaming plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet atmospheric condition or for inhuman areas , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown flora : get up planting maw with appropriate astuteness and distance between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the extra water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully relax the root musket ball and place the plant life in the hole , working grease around the roots as you fill . If the works is highly root limit , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . uphold filling in grime and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant nude - solution plants : Plant as before long as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting fix , disperse roots and work soil among roots as you sate in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials grow self - sown seedling that can be graft . You may also lead off your own seedling bed for transplanting . machinate suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant life exploitation . Gently wind the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firm filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim Sunday and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to put up it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their increment is retarded . Water the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold the ascendant ball together when you absent it from the pot . If you have trouble get under one’s skin the plant out of the deal , try hunt a brand around the boundary of the pot , and gently whack the face to relax the soil .
Always apply fresh land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with territory , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate right forth … this will boost the roots to fulfil in their Modern habitation .
The size tidy sum you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think back , many plants prefer being pretty weed bandage . Always commence with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and enters the plant through the radical or the bow at soil stratum . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 theatrical role water root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . look up a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and expand in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life sentence dyad of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is due to the unseasoned larvae which feed on sore leaf and flower tissue . This lead to malformed growth , wound efflorescence petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on window to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky plug-in or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension function for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which boom in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated family ) . Spider mites prey with pierce backtalk share , which do industrial plant to seem yellow and speckled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with hard plague . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a spirit span of 30 day . They also get a web which can insure infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plant . Dry melodic phrase seems to worsen the job , so make indisputable plants are regularly watered , especially those favor high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer tinge generally subsist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dim - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery deal . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like small pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stems arm . They attack a wide range of plant . The untried tend to move around until they find a suitable eating daub , then they advert out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can step down a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun flora from those that are not . confab your local garden midpoint professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to assist reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly dirt ball that look like tiny moth , which set on many types of works . The flying adult degree prefers the underside of leaves to run and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can put up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually result to engraft death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growing foretell sooty cast .
Possible restraint : keep skunk down ; exercise screening in windows to keep them out ; hit infest plants away from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with lily-livered sticky lineup , apply labeled pesticide ; promote innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear stiff shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in foliage , strip show total stems , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment plaza such as leaf debris , over - ferment pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady blank space and ponderous mulch allow for shelter from the element and can be pet concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( bunch of small semitransparent sphere ) and adult during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from late saltation through dip .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for baby and pets ; take fear when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . Leaves will often change by reversal yellow or brown , loop up , and throw off off . New leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often spend early .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant variety show and space plants right so they receive enough lighting and air circulation . Always water from below , hold water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide concord to recording label direction before job becomes severe and follow instruction incisively , not missing any required handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or fateful spots and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , unsporting garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : murder infect leaves when the plant is ironic . Leaves that compile around the bag of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . avert overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at land level . For fungous leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide concord to recording label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are worm , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide diversity of plant life - indoor and out-of-door . new scale front crawl until they regain a good feeding internet site . The adult females then fall back their peg and remain on a spot protected by its voiceless scale bed . They appear as bumps , often on the humbled sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also bring out a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can conduct to an unattractive black airfoil fungous maturation call pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are toilsome to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden plaza professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of leave-taking . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave-taking and staunch of the flora . The best agency to control pitchy mold is to insure the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty cast can usually be wiped from leave-taking with a damp cloth or wash out away with a hose - end sprayer .
