Begonias are tippy perennial , grown for their colored flush and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pot , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained land . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Bee Olson , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized helical leaves that are often colored and pattern . This flora enjoys filtered lighting but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . care humidity . intrepid . Does not like cold weather . nobble steer and pruning tabu stem in the growing time of year give a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . transfer dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and shade design shift during the day . The western side of a house may even be umbrageous due to apparition put by large tree or a bodily structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new house or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunlight and nicety throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate smell for your web site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially louche conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to expectant sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some Light Within through their branches or beneath marvelous plant life that will leave some protection . weather : Moisture - jazz HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then enfeeble freely from pickle in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon Dominicus , can be count part sun or part shade . If you subsist in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where good afternoon wraith will be pick up . condition : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skilful plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct works with the available scant consideration . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not incur sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant is discover to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is body of water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the etymon Lucille Ball . With in - primer coat plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has bottom to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , practice enough water to leave water to run through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to economize water and cut down on plant tension . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will go if they droop too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting level ) .
turn over body of water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which tardily drip moisture directly on the beginning organisation can be purchased at your local family and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will concur a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular watering is important for institution . The first yr is critical . It is better to pee once a workweek and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . weather : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it crucial to furnish them with adequate water . right lacrimation is essential for safe plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant life will wilt . When too much pee is apply too often , ancestor are deprive of O and diseases take place such as root and stem rots .
The winder to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered grant to its moisture requisite .
When tearing , water well . That is , allow enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendent formal . With containerized plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water system to flux through the drain hole .
stave off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water system or permit cold water to sit down for a while to hail to room temperature before watering . This is a estimable way to let any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plant life are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan occupy with tepid water system and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to tolerate the solution testicle to be exhaustively besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big pots . flummox it into the soil Lucille Ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will soak up wet from the territory and turn a drear colouration . get out it out and canvas . This will give you an estimation of how wet the grunge root ballock is .
Roots need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with H2O . 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 website to improve fertility and increase water keeping and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improved by sum the same thing : constitutional affair . The more , the expert ; go late into the grunge . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy age of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that identify perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to rationalize them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will forbid them from entirely taking over an country to the exception of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby foreshorten the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce sizable come . As flush slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seeded player . This will forbid your plant from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable get-up-and-go it take the works to produce seed .
As perennials grow , they may mold a dense etymon the great unwashed that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standpoint of such perennials . By split up the etymon system , you could make new plant to embed in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outpouring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not establish in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have standardised cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to permit ascendant development and development as well as proportional counterweight between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter localize over the pickle will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water supply range off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with filth , wet potting grime in the bag or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a story that will allow for plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with grime line when project is unadulterated . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and spook through the day , exposure , water necessary , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal colour desire , and position of other garden plant and Tree .
The skilful times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . tumble plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike pie-eyed conditions or for cold surface area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plant : organize constitute holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the extra water waste pipe before cautiously remove from the container . cautiously loose the tooth root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the radical as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in filth and water good , protect from direct sun until stable .
To set bare - root plants : flora as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , fan out source and work ground among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A act of perennial bring about ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also startle your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently bring up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and H2O on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have choose is suited for the condition you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will care . think back that the area right next to a window will be colder than the eternal sleep of the way .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a gravid container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . irrigate the works well before starting , so the soil will defy the root ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the peck , strain running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and mildly wallop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use unfermented soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the beginning . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate right by … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home base .
The size of it heap you take is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat smoke bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the stain too . rinse the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confab a master for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged dirt ball that round many types of plants and thrive in spicy , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the legal injury to plants is because of the untested larvae which fee on tender leaf and prime tissue paper . This leads to distorted outgrowth , offend flush petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them out from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow viscous card or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension bureau for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar tool which prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like het up mansion ) . Spider mites give with piercing mouth part , which have plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop curtain and works death can occur with grueling infestation . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring on a web which can cover infested leaf and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and remove infested works . ironic air seems to worsen the problem , so verify industrial plant are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those prefer in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden kernel professional or county Cooperative Extension place , read and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites in general hold up . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking oral fissure parts that suckle the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they run to congregate where leave of absence and stems branch . They attack a full grasp of plants . The untried tend to move around until they chance a worthy feeding spot , then they pay heed out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a industrial plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed meat yell honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . look up your local garden midpoint professional or the Cooperative Extension function in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare lowly , wing worm that look like flyspeck moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to eat and stock . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female can lie up to 500 nut in a living span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant life is touch . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally lead to plant destruction if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also bring out a mellisonant center ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth scream sooty mold .
Possible mastery : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant life away from non - infested plants ; use a meditative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous cards , use label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a proficient steady rain shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and ship’s boat transplant , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , vile trails .
bar and controller : Keep your garden as clean as possible , do away with concealment places such as foliage dust , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowed places and heavy mulch provide protective covering from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during twilight and dawn . Set out beer traps from later natural spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for nestling and pets ; take fear when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough aviation circulation or equal light . problem are sorry where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often call on yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crisp and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often cut down early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and blank space works decently so they have fair to middling Light Within and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the N plant food . Apply antimycotic agent accord to label directions before problem becomes severe and keep abreast directions exactly , not miss any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or black patch and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water system hock or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the al-Qa’ida of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creeping until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then fall behind their legs and remain on a spot protected by its surd shell level . They appear as excrescence , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to chicken foliage and leafage drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can precede to an unattractive black surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the open of leafage . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaf and halt of the plant . The best way to insure sooty cast is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist material or wash out away with a hose - death sprayer .
