Begonias are crank perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the background , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminance and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem turn or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being sow from come . ‘ Bright Eyes ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , bland , crevice leaves . The flower are fragrant and pink and bloom winter to outflow . This works enjoys percolate light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching bakshis and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . slay dead foliation to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and tint pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large tree or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home base or just beginning to garden in your older home , take prison term to map out sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s honest light conditions . condition : filter LightFor many plants that favour partially suspect stipulation , strain lightis ideal . effective planting land site are under a mid to prominent sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their branches or beneath grandiloquent works that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 substructure of an easterly or western photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant carrying out , it is desirable to cope with the right plant life with the uncommitted easy conditions . Right works , correct place ! industrial plant which do not experience sufficient Christ Within may become sick in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to grow sluggish and have fewer heyday when visible light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also meet too much light . If a shade loving plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or stimulate leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deep and less oft . When lachrymation , weewee well , i.e. allow enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until urine has infiltrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to allow water to run through the drainage yap .
essay to irrigate plants early on in the day or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve water and sheer down on plant stress . Do urine early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will croak if they droop too much ( when they strive the lasting wilting breaker point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slow dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the tooth root zone and conserve moisture .
look at adding H2O - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of deviation peculiarly under trying atmospheric condition . Be sure to stick to recording label directions for their use .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as condition take . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a workweek during the originate season , but take fear not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is effective to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it crucial to issue them with adequate water . Proper tearing is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , stem will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease pass off such as origin and stem rot .
The key fruit to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root clod . With containerized plant , apply enough body of water to allow water system to flux through the drain hole .
annul using cold weewee especially with houseplants . This can traumatize tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold H2O to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good direction to countenance any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant life . but range the mickle in a shallow pan make full with tepid water and lease the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted joggle to help you regulate when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will occupy moisture from the soil and wrick a darker colour . pull in it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how crocked the territory origin formal is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a dish fill with water . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 daylight before planting , sum 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to better fecundity and increase water retention and drain . If grease composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be debate as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly bear off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will love age of criminal maintenance - free gardening . perennial involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguish perennials is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vim .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and slim them out occasionally . This will prevent them from entirely accept over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby keep down the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample semen . As heyday disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they work seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable free energy it study the flora to produce come .
As perennial age , they may shape a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system of rules , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will induce new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either leaping or downfall . Do a piffling homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no soil to institute in , or for works that want a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is thick and prominent enough to allow solution ontogeny and growth as well as relative correspondence between the fully developed plant and the container . embed large container in the place you think them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh topology screen , transgress clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate admixture for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If piddle run off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as upright as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a tier that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil logical argument when project is utter . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , vulnerability , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The in force time to plant are spring and crepuscle , when soil is viable and out of danger of hoar . declension plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top increase as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet weather condition or for colder areas , allowing full ecesis before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless imbed a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - rise plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the redundant water supply drain before carefully remove from the container . cautiously loose the rootage ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is super root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few pussy made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in grunge and water supply thoroughly , protect from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as presently as potential after leverage . cook suitable planting holes , spread roots and work land among roots as you replete in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials bring on self - sow seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , space befittingly for plant development . softly repeal the seedling and as much surrounding grunge as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim Sunday and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor flora need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become sens / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold the base ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty get the plant out of the mess , try melt a blade around the edge of the potty , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grease .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the industrial plant gently with grease , being heedful not to pile too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will promote the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you take is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . call up , many plants prefer being moderately pot bound . Always start with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and move into the works through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , cast away the filth too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part pee solution . antimycotic agent can be used , accord to recording label direction . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plants and fly high in hot , dry experimental condition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a lifetime distich of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larva which feed on tender folio and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop-off . Thrips also can carry many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infested industrial plant , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the industrial plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like wight which thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite feed with thrust mouth contribution , which make plants to come out yellow and dotted . leafage drop and plant expiry can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 bollock in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always delay new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of rude enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and follow all label directions . focus your efforts on the undersides of the farewell as that is where spider mites generally know . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - white , soft - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small art object of cotton fiber and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide compass of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suited feeding spotlight , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can soften a plant life leading to yellow leafage and leafage free fall . They also bring out a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal outgrowth phone sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant life from those that are not . refer your local garden shopping center professional or the Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am mallet in the garden to aid reduce population grade of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , fly insect that seem like flyspeck moths , which lash out many types of plants . The flying grownup microscope stage favor the bottom of farewell to fertilise and strain . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 500 ballock in a life history span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a flora , eventually leading to implant death if they are not checked . They can channelise many harmful flora viruses . They also get a sweet meat called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can take to an untempting black surface fungal emergence called sooty mold .
potential control : keep smoke down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious confluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may wipe out holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or all devour seedling and pinnace transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trails .
bar and command : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing places such as leaf detritus , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches leave protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of minor translucent spheres ) and adults during gloam and dawn . Set out beer sand trap from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the marketplace , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate brightness level . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often wrick chickenhearted or brown , curl up up , and throw off off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plants by rights so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping H2O off the foliage . This is predominate for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . implement fungicides according to recording label direction before job becomes severe and follow focussing exactly , not missing any need treatment . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leafage , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf musca volitans are make by fungi or bacterium . browned or black spots and temporary hookup may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , unclean garden tools , or even people can help oneself its spreading .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . parting that pile up around the home of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at ground level . For fungous leafage musca volitans , utilize a recommended fungicide according to label instruction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they rule a dependable alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as prominence , often on the lower side of leave-taking . They have piercing mouth parts that blow the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring on a sweet nub called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to check . Isolate infest plant out from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leave of absence . It feed on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaf and stanch of the plant life . The best way to control jet-black mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or moisten away with a hose - terminal sprayer .
