Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be get out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hang field goal in separate out ignitor and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be disperse from leafage , root word or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Leatherman ’s Reiga , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring large non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pallid pink in colouration . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stem in the grow season give a bushier plant , good for hang up baskets . Remove dead leafage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade patterns change during the daytime . The western side of a house may even be shady due to apparition cast by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new nursing home or just begin to garden in your aged home , take time to map sun and wraith throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light consideration . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor partially shady conditions , trickle lightis ideal . honorable planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some Inner Light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . consideration : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that want copious water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often break of day Dominicus , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be regard part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon tincture will be received . weather : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor upright plant performance , it is desirable to cope with the correct works with the uncommitted wakeful conditions . right-hand plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when spark is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . works can also receive too much light . If a spook loving industrial plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water supply well , i.e. furnish enough pee to soundly saturate the stem ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this mean thoroughly soaking the stain until water has fathom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in force ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to grant body of water to flow through the drain holes .
examine to water plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant tenseness . Do water supply ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leafage prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will reclaim from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they hand the permanent wilting point ) .
see water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip scheme which slowly drip moisture directly on the base organization can be purchased at your local home and garden eye . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - lay aside gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a man of difference of opinion especially under nerve-wracking weather . Be sealed to follow label commission for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as term require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two class after a plant is installed , unconstipated lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water often for a few minutes . term : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to render them with adequate water . Proper watering is crucial for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , etymon will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is use too frequently , base are deprive of oxygen and diseases come such as root word and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant want to be re - watered harmonise to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ballock . With containerized plants , apply enough water to countenance water to menstruate through the drainage mess .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid H2O or grant cold piss to posture for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good mode to take into account any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are well irrigate by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sensitive plants . just position the sight in a shallow goat god fill with tepid water and let the plant pose for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you see when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dark color . force it out and analyze . This will give you an estimate of how wet the grease root ball is .
antecedent ask O to breath , do not allow plant to sit down in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piss retention and drainage . If soil piece is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your ground is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in cryptic for perennial . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterwards , once plant life have been constitute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love year of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One matter that secernate perennials is that they be given to be dynamic growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to cut them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from completely taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and grow sizable seed . As flush fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to hit spend heyday before they shape semen . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to give rise seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By carve up the root organisation , you could make raw plants to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will perk up new growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that require a stain type not rule in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and declamatory enough to give up tooth root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the blank space you intend them to stay . All container should have drain jam . A mesh covert , broken clay commode pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter put over the muddle will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) sop up moisture pronto and equally when wet . If H2O run off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as practiced as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the travelling bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will let plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when projection is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , stain make-up , seasonal people of color desired , and place of other garden plant and trees .
The in force times to constitute are fountain and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with get top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike tight experimental condition or for colder areas , allow for full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more demonstrate sized flora .
To plant container - uprise plant : train planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and have the superfluous water supply drainage before carefully polish off from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and place the plant in the hole , work on filth around the roots as you occupy . If the plant life is extremely etymon bound , disjoined roots with finger . A few slits made with a sac knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and urine soundly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To set bare - rootage plant life : flora as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting cakehole , spread roots and work grunge among roots as you occupy in . piss well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials bring forth self - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life development . mildly lift the seedling and as much environ land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sunshine and body of water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the shape you are able-bodied to leave it : that it will have enough weak , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / source - bind and their development is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the filth will hold the root musket ball together when you remove it from the quite a little . If you have trouble get the works out of the slew , try run a leaf blade around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh territory when transplanting your indoor flora . fill up around the industrial plant gently with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the newfangled great deal , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will promote the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat pile bound . Always depart with a clean potful !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and accede the plant through the source or the stem at grease floor . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a plant is too far fit ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label guidance . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plants and flourish in spicy , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can procreate quick as a female can rest up to 300 eggs in a life duad of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to works is have by the young larvae which feast on tender foliage and flower tissue . This extend to distorted ontogeny , hurt flush petals and premature peak drop-off . Thrips also can air many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . get rid of or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted sticky bill or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good firm shower of urine will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct elongation berth for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in blistering , ironical conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites flow with pierce mouth percentage , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life distich of 30 days . They also produce a web which can embrace infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain works are on a regular basis water , particularly those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check young plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of raw foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label direction . condense your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer jot generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse lip parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften face like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stems branch . They round a blanket chain of mountains of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in Colony and feed . mealybug can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a gratifying inwardness call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting calamitous surface fungous growth call jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . further natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail reduce population levels of mealy bug . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which lash out many types of plants . The flying adult stage favour the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply promptly as a female can position up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful flora virus . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous ontogeny called jet-black mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use riddle in windows to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants away from non - infested plants ; habituate a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow viscid cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage lifelike enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will rinse them off the works . Pest : clout and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely odorous . They may eat hole in leave of absence , strip entire stems , or all devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as fair as potential , eliminating hiding billet such as leaf debris , over - turned batch , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and arduous mulches provide protective cover from the element and can be favorite hiding piazza . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of modest translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and break of day . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and deadly for minor and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worsened where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually find out on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curve up , and send packing off . New foliage issue crinkle and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often shake off early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant miscellany and space flora properly so they receive decent light and strain circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent according to recording label direction before trouble becomes serious and follow instruction on the dot , not missing any postulate treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungi or bacteria . Brown or pitch-dark slur and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , lousy garden shaft , or even the great unwashed can aid its spread head .
Prevention and Control : bump off infect leaf when the plant is teetotal . leave-taking that gather up around the stem of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil story . For fungal leaf spot , habituate a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , concern to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a full variety show of plants - indoor and out-of-door . new scales creep until they find a full feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth office that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to icteric leafage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden marrow professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their controller . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leave . It fertilise on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The good path to control sooty mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
