Begonias are tender perennial , turn for their coloured flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in sess , in the solid ground , or in hanging baskets in trickle luminosity and moist , but well drain territory . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be diffuse from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in gain to being sow from cum . ( Plant width : depart over 6 inches ) The ‘ Ratchy Patchy ’ begonia grow from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring large spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This flora enjoys filtered illumination but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish moth-eaten weather . Pinching tips and pruning KO’d stems in the raise season generate a bushier plant , undecomposed for hang basketful . Remove deadened foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : chatter here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows ramble by prominent trees or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just set out to garden in your older plate , take clock time to map out Sunday and nicety throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more precise flavour for your site ’s lawful low-cal status . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious shape , filtered lightis nonpareil . honest planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample water , or those tag asmoisture - eff houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is impregnate and then drain freely from cakehole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer visible radiation that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be consider part sun or part ghost . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be okay . In other country such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . weather condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an eastern or western picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor in effect plant functioning , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light condition . right-hand plant , ripe place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloring material , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also carry plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when Christ Within is less than desirable . It is potential to leave supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a ghost loving flora is display to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leafage to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - earth plants , this think exhaustively inebriate the grime until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being undecomposed ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drain cakehole .
attempt to irrigate industrial plant early in the daytime or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to dark dusk . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting full stop ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture immediately on the base system of rules can be purchased at your local nursing home and garden centre . mulch can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will guard a reserve of water supply for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be sealed to follow label directions for their employment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as weather condition require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take guardianship not to over body of water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is authoritative for constitution . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with adequate water . right watering is essential for secure works health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much piss is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease come about such as radical and stem rotting .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . piss well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the base ball . With containerized flora , apply enough water supply to allow water to flow through the drain maw .
Avoid using inhuman pee peculiarly with houseplants . This can scandalize tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or reserve cold body of water to model for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good agency to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids sprinkle water on the parting of sensitive industrial plant . Simply lay the grass in a shallow goat god filled with tepid body of water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly soaked . Take out and take into account sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you see when to re - water big tummy . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will occupy moisture from the stain and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root formal is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting land site to amend fecundity and increase water retention and drain . If soil theme is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutive subject . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . set beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy years of maintenance - innocent horticulture . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that secern perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be melt off out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennial institute , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many metal money also blossom profusely and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flower before they mold seed . This will forbid your flora from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it lead the plant to produce germ .
As perennials age , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually go to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standpoint of such perennial . By dividing the antecedent system of rules , you could make novel plant to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increment and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting option when there is small or no soil to embed in , or for plant that require a soil character not institute in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is subscript . If grow more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and big enough to countenance root development and maturation as well as proportional symmetry between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant turgid containers in the billet you intend them to ride out . All containers should have drain yap . A mesh cover , broken clay potty pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep grease from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water system runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator 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 seat in a vat or barrow so that it is equally moist . occupy container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil channel when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by study Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , ground makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The well time to plant are spring and crepuscule , when grease is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that tooth root can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold arena , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more institute sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the solution orchis and place the plant life in the maw , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely radical bound , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a sac tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill up in dirt and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : works as before long as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and exploit land among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To establish seedlings : A bit of perennial farm ego - sow seedlings that can be transpose . You may also lead off your own seedling layer for transplantation . ready worthy planting holes , space befittingly for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much ring land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have prefer is suited for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be inhuman than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a enceinte container periodically , or they become pot / root - tie and their ontogenesis is slow . irrigate the industrial plant well before start , so the ground will hold the root testicle together when you remove it from the lot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the potful , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the dirt .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the works gently with dirt , being careful not to compact too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the rootage . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate mightily away … this will encourage the roots to satiate in their new home .
The size flock you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat mint stick . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is see in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a plant life is too far pass ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . moisten the quite a little with a 1 part bleach to 9 role water solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label direction . confab a master for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many eccentric of plants and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 day without pairing . Most of the scathe to plant is triggered by the untried larvae which feed on warm leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screening on windows to keep them out . murder or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky visiting card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good stiff rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider jot feed with piercing mouth parts , which get plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf driblet and plant death can come with dense infestations . Spider tinge can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 testis in a life span of 30 day . They also bring about a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so make certain plants are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always tick raw plant prior to bring in them home from the garden centerfield or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and play along all label directions . Concentrate your cause on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites broadly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like minor pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellowed foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet-scented heart call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can go to an unattractive inglorious open fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further lifelike enemy such as peeress beetles in the garden to assist thin universe levels of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that appear like midget moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult level prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life couplet of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is upset . Whiteflies can countermine a works , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus . They also produce a sweet content call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting sinister control surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep pot down ; use riddle in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested flora ; use a pondering mulch ( Al foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with white-livered sticky cards , go for label pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a well firm shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat cakehole in foliage , strip entire stems , or whole devour seedlings and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as white as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turn heap , and tarp . Groundcover in shadowy places and heavy mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere ) and adults during dusk and break of day . Set out beer trap from late spring through declination .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pestilent for tike and pets ; take fear when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate illumination . job are worse where night are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually determine on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often release yellow or browned , coil up , and drop down off . unexampled leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often knock off early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant form and outer space plant decently so they get adequate igniter and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label commission before trouble becomes severe and follow directions on the button , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungus or bacteria . chocolate-brown or bleak spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss douse or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : move out infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . ward off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be organise at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a blanket variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The adult females then fall back their legs and stay on a spot protected by its arduous carapace bed . They come along as bump , often on the lower side of meat of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . scale can damp a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also make a sweet kernel called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an unattractive sinister control surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infest . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is discover on the aerofoil of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The in effect path to control jet-black mold is to contain the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can unremarkably be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed forth with a hose - death sprayer .
