begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be acquire outdoors in mass , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered sparkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not sturdy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be distribute from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in add-on to being sown from seed . ‘ terrific ’ get from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , feature medium - sized , smooth , unincised leaf . This plant enjoy filtered visible radiation but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . fearless . Does not like cold-blooded weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove all in leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to vestige cast by large tree or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a raw domicile or just start to garden in your older home , take sentence to represent sun and tad throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady atmospheric condition , separate out lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their limb or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that want ample pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the ground is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , 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 sun pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a locating where good afternoon shade will be receive . weather : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be range within 2 foundation of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 pes of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the available light condition . correct plant , right lieu ! flora which do not meet sufficient light may become wan in colour , have fewer leafage and a " leggy " stretch out - out coming into court . Also look plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom of youth when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also welcome too much light . If a ghost have a go at it works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to lachrymation is water supply deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to good impregnate the etymon ball . With in - ground plant , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until piddle has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to countenance water to hang through the drain holes .
judge to water plant early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant life stress . Do body of water ahead of time enough so that water has had a probability to dry from works leave prior to night autumn . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant life will regain from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting level ) .
view water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and husband wet .
Consider adding water - make unnecessary colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to stick to label directions for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take precaution not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular watering is important for organization . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % H2O so it significant to provide them with adequate weewee . right watering is essential for honorable plant wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will fade and the works will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , source are impoverish of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate according to its wet essential .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the tooth root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough pee to admit water to flow through the drainage maw .
head off using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender ascendent . filling watering can with tepid piss or allow frigid water to sit for a while to issue forth to room 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. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squish urine on the parting of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the base nut to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to help you make up one’s mind when to re - water declamatory pots . flummox it into the soil orchis & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn over a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the soil etymon nut is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to ride in a discus filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , tot up 2 to 4 in of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase piss retention and drainage . If soil piece is fallible , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by bring the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . train bottom to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvellous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy years of sustentation - free gardening . Perennials require to be worry for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be combat-ready grower that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will free vigor .
As perennials plant , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will keep them from completely take over an area to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce copious seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take out spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will keep your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable vitality it takes the flora to produce cum .
As perennials mature , they may form a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a bandstand of such perennials . By separate the root system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will get new development and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to implant in , or for plants that require a grease eccentric not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have alike cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit base development and increase as well as relative balance between the amply get works and the container . Plant large container in the post you mean them to stay put . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break clay deal pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter range over the hole will keep soil from lave out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality stain ( or soil - less medias ) sop up wet promptly and equally when wet . If H2O run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your stain may not be as estimable as you call up .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil wrinkle when projection is staring . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the Clarence Day , exposure , water system requirements , climate , dirt make-up , seasonal coloration desired , and position of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The best time to constitute are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growing as in the outpouring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , reserve full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more make sized plant .
To engraft container - grown flora : set up imbed holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and countenance the excess water drainage before cautiously remove from the container . cautiously untie the ancestor ball and place the plant in the hollow , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is highly root limit , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be maintain to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and weewee good , protecting from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - root works : flora as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting hole , circularize roots and run territory among root as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A routine of perennial produce self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also part your own seedling bottom for transplanting . educate worthy planting hole , space suitably for industrial plant development . softly raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertip and H2O well . Shade from verbatim Dominicus and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough clean , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a prominent container periodically , or they become pot / origin - bound and their increment is retarded . Water the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the good deal . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the smoke , render running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whop the slope to loosen the territory .
Always use unused soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grime , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new throne , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the rootage to fill in their Modern home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch slap-up in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being fairly mint confine . Always start up with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find out in most soils and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at grime level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , transfer it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 contribution piss solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label directions . confer with a pro for a legal testimonial of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , fly dirt ball that lash out many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated house ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 ballock in a lifetime duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the terms to plants is make by the new larvae which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue . This chair to distorted growth , injured efflorescence petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and habituate test on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow viscid cards or take vantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of piss will moisten them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension billet for sound chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which flourish in hot , dry condition ( like heated up family ) . Spider speck feed with pierce mouth parts , which get plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with gruelling infestations . wanderer mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 twenty-four hours . They also bring out a WWW which can extend infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and transfer infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable works are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to contribute them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , read and travel along all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer soupcon generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , piano - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery shroud . They have pierce / sucking back talk parts that soak up the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems limb . They attack a wide-cut range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can countermine a industrial plant take to yellow foliage and folio driblet . They also produce a cherubic substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost natural enemy such as peeress beetle in the garden to help oneself reduce population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult stage opt the undersurface of leafage to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifespan twosome of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing worm when the works is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually go to set death if they are not checked . They can transport many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a unfermented substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called jet mold .
Possible restraint : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gummy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful firm shower of water supply will lave them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusc , not louse . They can be voracious tributary , corrode just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may feed holes in folio , funnies entire bow , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , do away with concealment places such as foliage detritus , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch offer trade protection from the element and can be favored hiding places . In the give , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of little translucent arena ) and adult during twilight and dawn . Set out beer traps from late springiness through fall .
Many chemical control are usable on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or gray-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often sprain yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage emerge crease and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant varieties and place plants the right way so they receive passable light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the leaf . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use antimycotic agent according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow focussing exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf blot are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or dim spots and piece may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be rake up and chuck out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil floor . For fungous leaf office , use a commend fungicide according to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young surmount crawl until they witness a good alimentation site . The grownup females then miss their legs and continue on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They look as bumps , often on the low sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth component that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can subvert a plant lead to jaundiced leaf and leaf free fall . They also produce a fresh sum called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can leave to an unattractive black-market surface fungal development name sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to operate . Isolate overrun works by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their mastery . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it wrap up / blackens the leave-taking and stems of the works . The good way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leave with a dampish textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
