Begonias are raw perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be maturate outside in kitty , in the land , or in hang baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained territory . Where not hardy , develop as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from foliage , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Black Magic ’ ( Rex ) grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring medium - sized non - spiraling farewell that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pinkish . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the mature season gives a shaggy-haired plant , safe for hang up basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sunlight and tone patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to dark cast off by large trees or a structure from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older habitation , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate flavour for your situation ’s true light condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially shady consideration , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to turgid sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . atmospheric condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that demand ample water system , or those labeled asmoisture - jazz houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the grime is saturated and then drains freely from gob in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touching an column inch or so below the filth airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as secure as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an arena that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be get . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be aim within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 human foot of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor estimable plant operation , it is desirable to pair the correct plant with the usable light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in vividness , have few folio and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to farm wearisome and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to put up supplementary lighting for indoor flora with lamps . Plants can also receive too much luminance . If a specter loving plant is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to lachrymation is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the stem egg . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough weewee to countenance water to flow through the drainage maw .
assay to water flora early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that piss has had a prospect to dry out from plant leaves prior to night drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until flora droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they make the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle organisation which lento drip wet directly on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
look at adding water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will throw a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be sure to play along label directions for their employment .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be go on equally moist and water regularly , as experimental condition require . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , unconstipated watering is significant for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute of arc . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % weewee so it significant to append them with adequate water . right watering is essential for good works health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much weewee is applied too ofttimes , root are impoverish of O and disease occur such as root and fore rot .
The winder to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When lachrymation , water system well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough urine to allow water to flow through the drain jam .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock pinnace roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or reserve cold water to baby-sit for a while to follow to board temperature before watering . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This forfend splashing water system on the parting of sensitive plant . plainly place the commode in a shallow pan fill with tepid water system and let the plant model for 15 minutes to reserve the ascendent ball to be exhaustively pixilated . Take out and earmark sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you set when to re - water larger pots . stay it into the grime ball & wait 5 mo . The dowel will assimilate moisture from the soil and turn a gloomy semblance . Pull it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
radical need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a discus filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piddle retention and drainage . If grime composition is debile , a stratum of surface soil should be weigh as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by bring the same matter : organic affair . The more , the sound ; work deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of upkeep - liberal horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be reduce out at times or they will free vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to clip them back and thin them out on occasion . This will forestall them from completely strike over an area to the censure of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw spend flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your industrial plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense base mass that finally lead to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the solution system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : develop ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is piddling or no territory to found in , or for plant that require a grime case not find in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have like cultural essential . Choose a container that is bass and large enough to allow solution development and increase as well as proportional remainder between the to the full developed plant and the container . constitute enceinte containers in the piazza you mean them to stay . All container should have drain hole . A meshing screenland , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If pee runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to sate a container with soil , wet pot territory in the purse or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . meet container about midway full or to a storey that will let plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is unadulterated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , exposure , H2O requirements , clime , filth makeup , seasonal colour desired , and locating of other garden plants and tree .
The best time to plant are spring and dip , when ground is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can prepare and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike besotted term or for colder areas , let full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To constitute container - grown plant : Prepare embed holes with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loose the ascendent ball and put the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is passing root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in stain and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim Dominicus until stable .
To plant bare - root flora : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting maw , spread roots and exercise soil among ancestor as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial bring forth self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and weewee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lightsome , distance , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area mighty next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / base - throttle and their outgrowth is delay . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the potful . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the pot , essay run a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transfer your indoor flora . Fill around the plant gently with stain , being careful not to compact too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right by … this will advance the origin to occupy in their fresh dwelling house .
The size of it pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in great in diam . Remember , many plant favor being somewhat gage bound . Always jump with a sporting pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the solution or the root at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , diminish watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . moisten the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 component water solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual testimonial of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a lifetime dyad of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which feast on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leave to distorted growth , bruise flower flower petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and utilise screening on window to keep them out . take or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of rude enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension bureau for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in hot , dry weather condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fee with thrust rima oris parts , which induce works to appear yellow and specked . Leaf drop and flora death can fall out with gruelling infestations . wanderer jot can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 Clarence Day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and polish off infested plants . Dry tune seems to aggravate the job , so verify plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check newfangled plant prior to bringing them home from the garden substance or greenhouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your try on the undersides of the leave-taking as that is where spider mites generally dwell . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / take in lip parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide scope of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy eating spot , then they flow out in Colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to lily-livered foliation and leafage free fall . They also grow a fresh substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can result to an untempting black aerofoil fungous development called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance raw enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , wing insects that calculate like flyspeck moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage favour the undersurface of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can manifold promptly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful industrial plant virus . They also acquire a sweet marrow called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis prognosticate sooty mold .
potential ascendancy : keep gage down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant life away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow viscous cards , apply label pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat on mess in leave , strip total radical , or completely devour seedling and bid transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , decimate hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches offer protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( cluster of small translucent vault of heaven ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . countersink out beer hole from former spring through crepuscle .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate spark . job are worse where dark are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often wrick yellow or chocolate-brown , curve up , and drop down off . New foliation emerges wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plants right so they receive fair to middling light and air circulation . Always piss from below , observe weewee off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . utilise fungicides concord to recording label directions before trouble becomes life-threatening and follow directions incisively , not missing any want treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and absent all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a piddle soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , muddy garden tools , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infect leaves when the plant life is dry . leafage that roll up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . obviate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link up to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide mixture of plant life - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult female person then lose their stage and remain on a daub protect by its hard shell layer . They come out as excrescence , often on the lower side of meat of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can soften a plant leading to chicken foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a seraphic substance anticipate honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to operate . Isolate overrun plant aside from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their mastery . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of folio . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and stem of the works . The best way to control coal-black mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hosiery - conclusion nebuliser .
