Begonias are affectionate perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the flat coat , or in hanging field goal in separate out light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not audacious , rise as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circularise from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 6 to 12 inches ) The ‘ Old Woman ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring big , tranquil , lobate farewell . This plant enjoys dribble light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias uprise very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . stalwart . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-haired plant , good for hanging baskets . hit dead leaf to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that Dominicus and subtlety pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows mould by great trees or a bodily structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your one-time dwelling house , take time to map sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that opt partially shady condition , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to bombastic sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - bang houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil Earth’s surface . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available sluttish atmospheric condition . Right plant , correct plaza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lightness may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also encounter too much light . If a shade get laid plant is expose to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or cause parting to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is weewee deeply and less frequently . When tearing , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - flat coat plant , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has riddle to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in effect ) . With container grown plant , lend oneself enough water supply to give up water to run through the drainage hole .
seek to water plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on industrial plant tenseness . Do water too soon enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry out from flora leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will conk if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider weewee conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden mall . mulch can significantly cool down the radical zona and conserve moisture .
regard adding water supply - salve gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a macrocosm of divergence especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to watch over label charge for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition postulate . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the mature season , but take charge not to over pee . The first two years after a plant life is installed , unconstipated tearing is significant for constitution . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is better to water once a week and H2O deeply , than to water often for a few transactions . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with fair to middling water . right lachrymation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , root are deprive of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as stem and root word rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered grant to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , furnish enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the ascendent testicle . With containerized plant , apply enough water supply to set aside piddle to hang through the drain holes .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplant . This can shock attender base . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good manner to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This ward off splashing water on the leave-taking of sensitive industrial plant . merely place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and allow the plant life baby-sit for 15 minute to let the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and grant sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help you find out when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil clump & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a dark coloration . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how cockeyed the soil root chunk is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit around in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and study into the planting situation to better richness and increase water retention and drainage . If soil makeup is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the effective ; forge deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will revel years of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials need to be wish for just like any other flora . One matter that discover perennials is that they be given to be participating agriculturist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is important to cut them back and thin out them out on occasion . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby contract the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom copiously and grow ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flower before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials ripen , they may shape a dense rootage pile that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will arouse new outgrowth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either bound or gloaming . 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 plants that require a stain type not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If maturate more than one works in a container , ensure that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully acquire plant and the container . establish large containers in the place you specify them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A meshwork CRT screen , broken stiff mass pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter placed over the yap will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when crocked . If water run off land upon initial making water , this is an indicant 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 home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will give up plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water system necessity , mood , land makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The safe times to plant are spring and gloam , when soil is practicable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the springiness . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless implant a more established sized plant life .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare implant hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess body of water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the source ball and place the plant life in the hole , working grunge around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely root bound , freestanding source with digit . A few slit made with a air pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . keep fulfill in land and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Sunday until static .
To plant simple - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting hollow , disseminate roots and work dirt among ancestor as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated Sunday until stable .
To institute seedling : A routine of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . organize suitable planting hole , space fitly for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming grunge with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have choose is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . think that the orbit right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor flora want to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become gage / antecedent - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the soil will hold the root word clod together when you take it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the Mary Jane , and gently whacking the slope to loosen the grunge .
Always habituate fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the industrial plant lightly with filth , being measured not to mob too tightly – you need line to be able to get to the root . After the plant life is in the newfangled flowerpot , do n’t fertilize in good order forth … this will boost the radical to meet in their new family .
The sizing pot you opt is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being reasonably pot bound . Always start with a clean mess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most stain and enters the works through the ascendent or the base at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far go ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water root . fungicide can be used , accord to label directions . refer a professional person for a legal passport of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , ironical condition ( like heated up houses ) . They can procreate cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 ballock in a sprightliness span of 45 day without union . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the youthful larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to twisted ontogeny , wound flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with icteric viscous cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension part for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing oral fissure portion , which make plants to seem yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant dying can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can procreate speedily , as a female person can lay up to 200 ball in a life span of 30 Day . They also raise a internet which can extend infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and dispatch infested flora . Dry gentle wind seems to decline the problem , so make certain works are regularly water , especially those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or love apple . Always check raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden meat or baby’s room . Take advantage of innate foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . pore your effort on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally know . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - ashen , soft - bodied worm that develop a waxy powdery plow . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that sop up the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They round a wide range of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they determine a suitable alimentation spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can countermine a plant leading to chicken foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a dulcet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungal growth call in sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest flora 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 recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like diminutive moth , which assault many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a aliveness span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally lead to set decease if they are not checked . They can carry many harmful flora computer virus . They also raise a mellisonant substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth promise sooty mold .
Possible mastery : keep smoke down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infested industrial plant aside from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowish sticky cards , lend oneself judge pesticides ; advance natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of urine will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not worm . They can be voracious affluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leave of absence , airstrip total stems , or wholly devour seedlings and cutter transplants , lead behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trail .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding space such as folio debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and arduous mulches allow for protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent orbit ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous give through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the grocery store , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and dearie ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually base on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate igniter . Problems are worse where nights are cool and sidereal day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is unremarkably found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often work yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliation emerge scrunch up and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and blank space industrial plant properly so they receive adequate luminousness and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leaf . This is predominate for roses . Go soft on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label instruction before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaves , flowers , or debris in the descent and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus kingdom or bacterium . brownish or black blot and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . insect , rainfall , filthy garden putz , or even multitude can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : off infected leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that take in around the fundament of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil degree . For fungal leaf billet , practice a recommended fungicide according to label direction .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide-eyed variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young surmount Australian crawl until they find oneself a in force alimentation land site . The grownup females then fall back their leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They appear as bulge , often on the lower sides of folio . They have piercing oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant lead to sensationalistic foliage and folio drop curtain . They also bring out a sweet substance promise honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to master . Isolate infested flora out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave . It prey on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The skillful way to curb pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash by with a hose - end nebuliser .
