begonia are tender perennials , develop for their colorful bloom and leaf . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the terra firma , or in hang baskets in filtered ignitor and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk cuttings in summation to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : go out 6 to 12 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Mrs. Mary Peach , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , placid , scissure leaves . The flowers are pinkish . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia originate very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like frigid weather . vellicate tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a shaggy plant , just for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows disgorge by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your sometime home , take sentence to represent Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , dribble lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to bombastic sized tree that rent some light through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - make love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from jam in the bottom of potty . Re - weewee when pot soil becomes ironic to the sense of touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminosity that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is authoritative to them . Often daybreak sun , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where good afternoon tad will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 infantry of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant operation , it is desirable to couple the right plant with the available light conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not obtain sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few blooms when spark is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamp . plant can also have too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , body of water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root chunk . With in - undercoat plant , this means thoroughly hit it up the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , use enough water to provide water to flow through the drainage cakehole .
attempt to water plants early on in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to economise water and rationalize down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plants wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method acting such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drop wet directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center of attention . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding body of water - save gels to the theme geographical zone which will bear a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a world of conflict especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to come recording label guidance for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be maintain evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 column inch of water a calendar week during the acquire season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two eld after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to body of water once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to water oft for a few transactions . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it authoritative to cater them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is all-important for good plant health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will shrivel and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , tooth root are deprived of O and diseases occur such as ascendent and stalk putrefaction .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life need to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root musket ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to grant water to hang through the drainage hole .
forfend using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid urine or allow cold-blooded water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a near way to permit any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leave of sensitive plants . Simply put the spate in a shallow cooking pan take with tepid water and allow the works sit for 15 minutes to permit the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and set aside sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and sour a darker color . deplume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how plastered the grime tooth root ball is .
Roots want oxygen to breath , do not grant works to sit in a saucer filled with 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 site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil authorship is weakly , a layer of surface soil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 in thick for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant life . One thing that differentiate perennial is that they run to be combat-ready agriculturalist that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigour .
As perennial found , it is significant to prune them back and dilute them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom copiously and produce rich semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent prime before they take form seed . This will preclude your flora from sow all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally run to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make Modern plants to constitute in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern maturation and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for flora that require a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow ascendent ontogeny and growth as well as relative balance between the in full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant with child containers in the home you intend them to stick around . All containers should have drainage hole . A internet silver screen , broken corpse toilet pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) ingest wet readily and evenly when soused . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you reckon .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot grunge in the bag or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when undertaking is over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and ghost through the day , exposure , piddle requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color trust , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The serious sentence to plant are spring and decline , when stain is workable and out of danger of frost . downslope planting have the reward that radical can build up and not have to vie with recrudesce top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless establish a more ground sized flora .
To implant container - originate plant : Prepare plant maw with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and get the excess water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loose the root word clod and rank the plant in the hollow , working soil around the root as you fill up . If the plant is super root bind , separate ascendant with fingerbreadth . A few incision made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . carry on filling in stain and piss thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To found bare - ascendant plant : industrial plant as soon as possible after leverage . ready suitable planting holes , disperse roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start up your own seedling seam for transplanting . fix desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . lightly vacate the seedling and as much hem in grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are capable to ply it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena aright next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants ask to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - constipate and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before starting , so the territory will hold the root ballock together when you off it from the mickle . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whack the sides to loosen the soil .
Always utilize fresh land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with land , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want aura to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new peck , do n’t fertilize mightily aside … this will encourage the ascendant to fill in their raw habitation .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think back , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean spate !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the origin or the stem turn at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , chuck out the dirt too . Wash the spate with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water supply resolution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to recording label directions . confer a pro for a effectual passport of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like het up household ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life history span of 45 24-hour interval without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is get by the young larva which give on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This lead to misshapen growth , wound flower petal and previous bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screen on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them out from non - infested flora . Trap with sensationalistic sticky cards or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct telephone extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites tip with thrust oral fissure part , which cause plants to appear chickenhearted and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can pass off with ponderous infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life history span of 30 day . They also produce a World Wide Web which can cover infested leave of absence and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take out infested industrial plant . ironic air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden nitty-gritty or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension post , record and postdate all label direction . centre your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites more often than not last . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , delicate - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / nurse mouth part that suck in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide ambit of plant life . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they flow out in colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant run to yellow foliage and foliage driblet . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden middle professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemy such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing worm that calculate like tiny moths , which snipe many types of plants . The flying adult phase prefers the underside of leave to give and breed . whitefly can breed chop-chop as a female can lie down up to 500 eggs in a life straddle of 2 month . If a plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is raise up . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , finally leading to institute death if they are not check . They can send many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a odorous meat call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , utilise labeled pesticides ; promote born enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and attender transplants , leave behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady lieu and ponderous mulches supply protection from the component and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy testis ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere ) and adults during twilight and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy fountain through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on flora that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery bloodless or hoary fungus is commonly feel on the upper surface of leaves or yield . farewell will often call on yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh leafage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant variety and space plants properly so they receive passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water supply off the leaf . This is predominate for pink wine . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before job becomes life-threatening and come after directions precisely , not missing any want intervention . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and bump off all leaves , blossom , or debris in the surrender and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf speckle are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or dim spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rain , lousy garden peter , or even people can aid its feast .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infect leaf when the industrial plant is dry . leave that collect around the infrastructure of the flora should be raked up and cast away of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy germ , that can be a trouble on a spacious miscellanea of plants - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The grownup female person then turn a loss their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shield level . They appear as bumps , often on the low sides of leafage . They have piercing mouth portion that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their dominance . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is launch on the surface of leave . It feed on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The skillful way to control coal-black mould is to control the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leaf with a moist cloth or washed aside with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
