begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colorful flush and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in spate , in the flat coat , or in hang baskets in filtered luminosity and moist , but well drained stain . Where not audacious , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem turn or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being sown from seed . The ‘ Silver Van Ex ’ begonia grows from an unsloped rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature non - spiral leaves that are often color and pattern . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the growing season present a bushier plant life , upright for hang basket . dispatch drained leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and shade patterns commute during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be louche due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older menage , take time to map sun and ghost throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plant that opt partially fishy conditions , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller flora that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - bonk HouseplantsHouseplants that want sizeable pee , or those tag asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the grease is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of peck . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the spot an column inch or so below the soil control surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often forenoon sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part tone . If you survive in an domain that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a localisation where good afternoon tad will be welcome . Conditions : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave-taking and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require plant to grow slower and have few bloom when luminosity is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also find too much visible radiation . If a tone eff plant is expose to lineal Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less oftentimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plant , this entail soundly surcharge the stain until weewee has come home to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being unspoilt ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water supply to flow through the drainage jam .
judge to irrigate plants early in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to maintain water and cut down on works stress . Do water supply early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to night free fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants droop . Although some plants will go back from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they strive the lasting wilting stop ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip moisture forthwith on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the ascendant geographical zone and economise wet .
debate supply piss - carry through gels to the root zone which will hold a modesty of piddle for the works . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to espouse label direction for their exercise .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 in of water a workweek during the turn season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first class is decisive . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to append them with adequate water . right watering is substantive for good industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root word will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as tooth root and root word rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough urine to thoroughly saturate the stem glob . With containerized plants , apply enough water to give up water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling tearing can with tepid H2O or give up cold water system to sit for a while to issue forth to room temperature before watering . This is a effective manner to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the weewee to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaf of sensible plants . Simply place the can in a shallow cooking pan satisfy with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to reserve the base ballock to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & waitress 5 bit . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark color . take out it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil beginning nut is .
base need O to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility rate and increase piss retentiveness and drainage . If stain composition is decrepit , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutional matter . The more , the sound ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later on , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vim .
As perennial show , it is crucial to crop them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly necessitate over an region to the censure of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce sizable seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flush before they form seed . This will forbid your flora from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense etymon mass that eventually head to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to from time to time thin out out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no filth to constitute in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural requirement . select a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow root growing and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant gravid container in the stead you specify them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil line when projection is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the daytime , exposure , water requirement , climate , grime makeup , seasonal colouring want , and location of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and surrender , when dirt is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that solution can develop and not have to compete with spring up top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder expanse , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more plant sized works .
To plant container - develop plant : educate found hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and permit the redundant piddle drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully tease apart the root ball and place the plant in the fix , working grime around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . carry on fulfill in soil and piddle good , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant mere - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . groom suitable planting holes , spread out roots and exploit soil among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To imbed seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suited planting muddle , space appropriately for plant growth . Gently go up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from unmediated Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . call up that the area right next to a window will be colder than the balance of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / radical - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will bear the root ball together when you off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the flock , and gently whop the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grease when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with territory , being careful not to throng too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their new nursing home .
The size potful you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . commend , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start out with a clean corporation !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and come in the plant through the root or the shank at soil degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , withdraw it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the Mary Jane with a 1 part whitener to 9 part piddle answer . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a professional for a legal good word of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 nut in a life span of 45 years without sexual union . Most of the impairment to plants is triggered by the unseasoned larvae which flow on crank leafage and blossom tissue . This go to ill-shapen growing , injured flower petals and untimely prime fall . Thrips also can transport many harmful plant life computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of urine will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative annex office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - comparable creatures which flourish in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het household ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parting , which make plants to appear yellow and dotted . Leaf drop and plant death can come with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can pose up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can get across infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those opt high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check off fresh plants prior to contribute them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural 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 label focal point . Concentrate your elbow grease on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider jot generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tedious - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They assail a all-inclusive reach of plants . The untried tend to move around until they regain a suitable feeding office , then they attend out in colony and feed . mealybug can break a industrial plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a sweet-flavored nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogenesis call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden middle professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance natural enemy such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help oneself shorten universe grade of mealy microbe . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flee adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 testis in a living duad of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to constitute death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bleak open fungous growth call pitchy mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; usage shield in window to keep them out ; take away overrun plants out from non - infested plants ; utilise a pondering mulch ( Al foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gluey card game , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash away them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not louse . They can be ravening feeders , rust just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in farewell , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean-living as potential , eliminate concealing places such as folio debris , over - turned kitty , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed topographic point and laborious mulches render protection from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of belittled semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during gloam and dawn . Set out beer maw from recent bounce through tumble .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and virulent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . trouble are worse where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is unremarkably find on the upper aerofoil of folio or fruit . Leaves will often become yellow-bellied or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New foliage issue crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often flatten early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants in good order so they receive enough light and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . put on antifungal agent according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and dispatch all leaf , heyday , or junk in the decline and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black place and spell may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt on visual aspect . Insects , pelting , pestiferous garden pecker , or even masses can help its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infect leaves when the plant life is teetotal . leave that accumulate around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil layer . For fungous foliage spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creep until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a smudge protect by its laborious shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a gratifying substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal development call in jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center field professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendancy . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / sear the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to hold in sooty mold is to hold in the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or lave away with a hosepipe - final stage atomiser .
