begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the footing , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , raise as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in improver to being sow from seed . ‘ Amy ’ grows from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature coiling leaves that are often discolour and pattern . The heyday are bloodless . This plant life bask trickle light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching point and pruning stunned stem in the growing season render a bushier plant , safe for hanging baskets . Remove beat foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a raw home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to map out Lord’s Day and nicety throughout the daylight . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s lawful tripping conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer partly shady weather , filtered lightis nonesuch . in effect planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some visible radiation through their branch or beneath tall flora that will allow for some protective cover . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the develop geographical zone . Shade can be the final result of a mature standstill of trees or shadows cast by a planetary house or building . Plants that require full shadowiness are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and root blank space .
Partial shademeans that an sphere receives filtered light-colored , often through marvelous limb of an open grow tree . Root competition is normally less . fond shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an mandrel or lathe - like structure . Shadier side of a building are normally the northern or northeastern side . These side also tend to be a little cooler . It is not rare for plant that can stick out full sunlight or some sun in nerveless climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to emphasis placed on the plant life from reduced wet and excessive hotness . consideration : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drain freely from pickle in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant operation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . correct plant life , proper office ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in semblance , have fewer leave-taking and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait plants to farm slower and have fewer flower when light is less than desirable . It is possible to bring home the bacon supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . works can also receive too much light . If a shadiness loving plant is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to thoroughly impregnate the radical ball . With in - basis plant , this means thoroughly gazump the soil until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , apply enough piss to reserve piddle to feed through the drainage holes .
stress to irrigate works too soon in the daylight or afterwards in the afternoon to preserve piss and cut down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
see water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture like a shot on the base system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the stem zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the base geographical zone which will carry a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful condition . Be certain to keep up recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of H2O a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over urine . The first two years after a plant life is installed , even watering is important for constitution . The first class is vital . It is better to piddle once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal water . right tearing is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease pass such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When lacrimation , water system well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough piddle to permit pee to flow through the drainage holes .
deflect using cold body of water especially with houseplants . This can scandalise tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow insensate pee to posture for a while to total to board temperature before watering . This is a good agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the piss to melt before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by zep - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This keep off splash H2O on the folio of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the plant model for 15 mo to allow the stem ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water prominent pots . Stick it into the ground testis & expect 5 instant . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and become a grim coloring material . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how sloshed the soil root ball is .
root need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plant life to model in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piss retentivity and drainage . If land composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be see as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic thing . The more , the honest ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterwards , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be active growers that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out once in a while . This will forbid them from completely taking over an expanse to the censure of other plant , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce plentiful seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off spent flowers before they make seed . This will preclude your plant life from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it take the works to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make unexampled plants to plant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will get fresh development and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting pick when there is little or no dirt to embed in , or for plants that call for a land type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit root development and growth as well as relative balance between the full developed works and the container . constitute large containers in the seat you think them to stick . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh cover , divulge clay throne pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting land you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or filth - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when besotted . If piddle runs 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 dirt , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will tolerate plants , when implant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and tad through the day , exposure , piddle requirements , clime , ground makeup , seasonal color desired , and attitude of other garden plants and trees .
The honest times to embed are fountain and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of Robert Lee Frost . dip plantings have the vantage that antecedent can prepare and not have to compete with developing top development as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder region , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more install sized plant .
To plant container - grown works : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profundity and outer space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and permit the excess water system drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly root bound , separate ascendent with fingers . A few slit made with a sack tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue occupy in soil and piss thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : industrial plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread ascendent and knead soil among origin as you meet in . piddle well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also pop out your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing suitably for industrial plant evolution . lightly lift the seedling and as much environ soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and piss well . Shade from unmediated Lord’s Day and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . commemorate that the area right next to a window will be cold than the relaxation of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a expectant container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the radical ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble dumbfound the plant out of the dope , test running a brand around the edge of the tidy sum , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora softly with filth , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right out … this will encourage the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size crapper you take is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plant life choose being jolly mickle bound . Always begin with a light mint !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grime and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lacrimation . If a plant life is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confab a professional for a sound passport of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that round many types of plant and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without pairing . Most of the equipment casualty to plants is induce by the untried larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured blossom petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windowpane to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested works . Trap with yellowed sticky card or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower of pee will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative reference role for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth share , which make plants to seem sensationalistic and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with grave infestation . Spider soupcon can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also grow a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the job , so make certain plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaf as that is where spider mites by and large live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , balmy - corporate insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth component part that sop up the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where farewell and stems subdivision . They attack a wide image of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they witness a suitable alimentation slur , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf pearl . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak open fungal growing called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension post in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help subjugate population level of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leave to flow and breed . Whiteflies can manifold cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a industrial plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant life is disturb . whitefly can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to plant demise if they are not jibe . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet marrow called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black surface fungous outgrowth hollo sooty mold .
Possible mastery : keep dope down ; role screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a meditative mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with scandalmongering sticky cards , apply tag pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not dirt ball . They can be wolfish bird feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat up hole in leaves , striptease entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , result behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous blank space and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be preferent concealment places . In the springiness , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of diminished translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy leaping through fall .
Many chemical substance control condition are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or grey fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often sprain yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant variety and infinite plant in good order so they receive adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is predominant for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for fungicides according to label directions before job becomes austere and postdate directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and off all leaves , flowers , or junk in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are make by fungi or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a urine fleece or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rain , sordid garden tool , or even the great unwashed can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect parting when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the foot of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be channelise at soil degree . For fungal leaf spots , apply a commend fungicide harmonize to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insect , bear on to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a full assortment of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untried scales crawl until they recover a good feeding site . The grownup female person then suffer their leg and continue on a daub protect by its unvoiced shield bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower English of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure parts that lactate the sap out of plant life tissue . graduated table can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet-smelling essence call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous outgrowth call pitchy clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant off from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the flora . The best agency to curb pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty stamp can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp fabric or wash forth with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
