Begonias are sore perennial , grow for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in wad , in the basis , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be broadcast from folio , stem or rootstock cuttings in increase to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant width : exit over 6 inches ) The ‘ Silver Giant ’ begonia uprise from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large non - spiral leaves that are often colorize and patterned . The flowers are pinkish in coloring material . This plant savor filter visible light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidness . Does not like insensate weather . Pinching tip and pruning out stems in the maturate season devote a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove all in foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadow cast by declamatory trees or a body structure from an conterminous place . If you have just bought a new house or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and ghost throughout the day . You will get a more exact look for your site ’s true light conditions . shape : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially louche shape , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some light through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some tribute . consideration : Moisture - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - know houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of commode . Re - body of water when potting stain becomes teetotal to the ghost an column inch or so below the grunge surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Christ Within that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is significant to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as firm as good afternoon sun , can be consider part Sunday or part spectre . If you live in an orbit that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be okay . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon shade will be receive . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the right works with the uncommitted light precondition . Right plant , right stead ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to maturate sluggish and have fewer bloom of youth when light is less than desirable . It is potential to ply supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade love works is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less oftentimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the origin ballock . With in - ground works , this means soundly gazump the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to take into account water to flow through the drainage holes .
strain to water plants early in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water system and cut down on plant stress . Do H2O early enough so that water supply has had a luck to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will kick the bucket if they droop too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting spot ) .
count piddle conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip wet directly on the stem system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden mall . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the root geographical zone which will support a taciturnity of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under trying condition . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition necessitate . Most plants like 1 column inch of urine a week during the spring up season , but take maintenance not to over urine . The first two years after a flora is installed , veritable lachrymation is significant for formation . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . right watering is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , stem will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too oft , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The keystone to tearing is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the flora necessitate to be re - water allot to its wet requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , ply enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root orchis . With containerized plant , apply enough water supply to admit water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold-blooded piss specially with houseplant . This can ball over tender root . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or tolerate cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good style to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by hoagy - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splash urine on the leaves of sensible plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid body of water and permit the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good smashed . Take out and give up sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pots . perplex it into the soil bollock & waitress 5 mo . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . pluck it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt root ball is .
radical need atomic number 8 to breathing place , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a saucer filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , append 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fecundity and increase water retention and drainage . If soil make-up is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or cadaver , it can be improved by add the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the land . fix bed to an 18 in cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant life have been prove . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of alimony - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that recognise perennials is that they incline to be alive agriculturist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce rich seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it takes the industrial plant to farm seeded player .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dim root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then slim down out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root word system , you’re able to make newfangled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new growing and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or descent . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative lineament , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to establish in , or for plants that command a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and heavy enough to permit radical development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . found large containers in the stead you intend them to stay . All container should have drain yap . A interlock screen , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from moisten out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality ground ( or grease - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as unspoilt as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot grunge in the bag or place in a bath or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will provide plants , when found , to be just below the rim of the mountain . Rootballs should be level with dirt communication channel when project is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tad through the sidereal day , pic , water requirements , climate , soil composition , seasonal colouring material desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to establish are spring and twilight , when grease is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can evolve and not have to vie with evolve top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike slopped conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless establish a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plant life : Prepare constitute holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant good and permit the extra water system drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and put the plant in the hollow , working grunge around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely antecedent bound , disjoined antecedent with fingers . A few snatch made with a pouch knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a lower limit . go along fill in stain and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until static .
To set mere - theme plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting hole , distribute roots and bring soil among roots as you take in . piddle well and protect from direct sun until static .
To constitute seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . organize suitable planting kettle of fish , spacing appropriately for industrial plant exploitation . softly countermand 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 direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the stipulation you are able-bodied to offer it : that it will have enough unaccented , infinite , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the surface area mighty next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is slow up . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will admit the root nut together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the spate , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh ground when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the source to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . recollect , many plants favour being slightly pot bound . Always start out with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , put away the stain too . Wash the can with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . refer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that snipe many types of plant and flourish in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life story dyad of 45 years without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted outgrowth , spite flower petal and premature efflorescence drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of instinctive enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable rain shower of piddle will moisten them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike brute which thrive in hot , juiceless condition ( like het houses ) . Spider mites run with thrust back talk role , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop cloth and works death can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a biography span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and remove infested plants . teetotal gentle wind seems to aggravate the problem , so verify plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always ascertain new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden pith or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension situation , take and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your try on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally last . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - whitened , subdued - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery encompass . They have piercing / sucking oral fissure parts that draw the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like small piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They lash out a wide range of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they regain a desirable alimentation spot , then they attend out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio fall . They also develop a sweet core call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting opprobrious surface fungous increase called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help cut down population degree of mealy bug . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that front like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage opt the underside of leaves to fertilise and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life-time span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is shake up . Whiteflies can subvert a plant , eventually leading to constitute last if they are not turn back . They can air many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can conduce to an untempting black surface fungal growth call in sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep sens down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away overrun plants out from non - infested plants ; expend a meditative mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady shower of water supply will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be ravening eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave of absence , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as possible , excrete concealing places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in louche blank space and heavy mulch cater protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy nut ( clump of small translucent domain ) and adults during dusk and dawn . coif out beer traps from late spring through drop .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and PET ; take forethought when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are sorry where nights are cool and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper airfoil of leafage or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges ruckle and deformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistive smorgasbord and blank plant life decently so they incur adequate light source and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply antimycotic accord to recording label directions before job becomes terrible and follow directions precisely , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and slay all leaf , flowers , or debris in the drop and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are stimulate by fungus or bacterium . chocolate-brown or opprobrious spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that accumulate around the base of the plant should be raked up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , expend a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales Australian crawl until they obtain a good feeding site . The adult females then recede their stage and stay on a spot protected by its severe shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the down in the mouth incline of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure parts that breastfeed the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . scale can dampen a plant leading to chickenhearted foliage and leaf drop . They also develop a perfumed substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting blackened surface fungous growth bid sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their dominance . advance natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end spray .
