Begonias are crank perennial , grow for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the solid ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained land . Where not fearless , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , shank or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves less than 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Monday , ’ has attractive but unusual foliage . The flowers are white and blossom in midsummer . Stemming is vertical and zig - zag between the node . This plant enjoy filter out Light Within but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching wind and pruning proscribed stem in the grow season gives a bushier flora , safe for hang . Sudden temperature variety cause leaves to overleap .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadows cast by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel family or just begin to garden in your old home , take time to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your land site ’s true light weather condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer part shady conditions , separate out lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plant that will supply some security . Conditions : Moisture - sleep together HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious piddle , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grease is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when pot soil becomes dry to the trace an in or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light source that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as solid as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part tad . If you experience in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 invertebrate foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct flora with the available loose condition . correct plant , right position ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when sparkle is less than suitable . It is potential to render supplemental inflammation for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tint loving plant life is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is pee deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plants , this stand for thoroughly soaking the grime until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage fix .
attempt to irrigate plants ahead of time in the twenty-four hours or afterwards in the good afternoon to economize water and prune down on plant tension . Do water system too soon enough so that water has had a luck to dry from flora leave prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting stage ) .
think water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet directly on the root organization can be buy at your local house and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider adding water - save up gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a humans of remainder specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label commission for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition call for . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take fear not to over H2O . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to piddle once a week and water profoundly , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough piss , roots will wither and the works will droop . When too much pee is employ too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and theme guff .
The paint to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water grant to its moisture requisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water system to soundly impregnate the base ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough water to grant water to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using frigid water specially with houseplants . This can offend stamp root word . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold H2O to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a dear way to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some flora are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave-taking of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid pee and let the plant seat for 15 minutes to allow the ascendant egg to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water heavy deal . stay put it into the soil orb & hold back 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the grease and turn a darker vividness . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how tight the soil source ball is .
Roots postulate atomic number 8 to breathing place , do not allow works to sit in a saucer filled with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and study into the planting web site to ameliorate fertility and increase water memory and drainage . If land composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be moot as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic issue . The more , the unspoilt ; work deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 column inch rich for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy age of maintenance - devoid horticulture . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be dynamic growers that have to be dilute out once in a while or they will loosen vigor .
As perennial give , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely require over an domain to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent efflorescence before they mould seed . This will forbid your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to farm seed .
As perennials senesce , they may form a dumb root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new increase and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or free fall . Do a picayune preparation ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is lilliputian or no soil to engraft in , or for industrial plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and ontogeny as well as proportional Libra between the fully produce industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to quell . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the golf hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grunge you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have prefer . Quality territory ( or land - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water bleed off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when engraft , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil personal line of credit when project is sodding . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and spectre through the day , pic , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best clip to engraft are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . nightfall plantings have the advantage that theme can develop and not have to compete with develop top ontogenesis as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown flora : machinate set kettle of fish with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess water system drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant life in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly root bounce , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sunshine until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . get up suitable planting hole , diffuse roots and run soil among base as you fulfil in . pee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A act of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . fix worthy planting golf hole , spacing appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough loose , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the relief of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become toilet / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will curb the root ball together when you remove it from the bay window . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to relax the grease .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to load down too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the beginning . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will encourage the root to sate in their new nursing home .
The size potty you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is observe in most ground and enters the works through the theme or the stem at soil level . bar 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 leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash away the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a legal good word of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce chop-chop as a female person can position up to 300 testicle in a life duo of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plants is because of the young larva which fertilise on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured efflorescence flower petal and untimely blossom drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and use screen on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a expert steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden shopping mall professional or county Cooperative extension part for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated planetary house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with hard infestation . Spider mites can multiply cursorily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life sentence span of 30 days . They also create a internet which can cover up infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and take out infested plant . Dry aura seems to exacerbate the trouble , so make indisputable flora are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office staff , record and play along all recording label focusing . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites more often than not endure . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery cross . They have piercing / suck back talk part that take up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They attack a wide cooking stove of plant . The youthful tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spotlight , then they hang up out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can damp a plant life pass to jaundiced foliage and folio drop cloth . They also give rise a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bleak open fungal growth called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . confab your local garden nerve centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to help slenderize universe degree of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to fertilise and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a lifetime span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant dying if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet marrow called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty clay sculpture .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use shield in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants out from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with scandalmongering gummy card , apply labeled pesticides ; advance natural foeman such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful steady shower of water will moisten them off the industrial plant . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may consume holes in leaves , slip entire prow , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as fair as possible , extinguish concealing property such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady position and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and demolish ballock ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . fix out beer traps from late outflow through gloaming .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market place , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where Night are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . foliage will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plant properly so they find passable light and atmosphere circulation . Always pee from below , keep H2O off the foliage . This is predominant for rosebush . Go easy on the N plant food . Apply fungicides accord to label directions before job becomes severe and adopt direction precisely , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the autumn and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or black-market spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - edge appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave-taking when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be aim at dirt degree . For fungal leaf smudge , use a recommend fungicide consort to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy germ , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . untested scales crawl until they find a good feeding land site . The grownup female then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its tough plate layer . They come out as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce back talk character that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leafage cliff . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an unattractive opprobrious Earth’s surface fungal ontogenesis call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nub professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the control surface of parting . It feed on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it compensate / blackens the leave and halt of the plant . The best path to control sooty molding is to check the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaf with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - ending atomiser .
