Begonias are tippy perennials , get for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , get as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be circulate from leaf , stem turn or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from source . ‘ Dancer ’ grows from an upright rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring non - spiral leaves that are often color and patterned . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like moth-eaten weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the farm time of year gives a bushier industrial plant , good for hang baskets . get rid of idle foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a young home or just start to garden in your older domicile , take clock time to map out Dominicus and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : wet - fuck HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the grime is saturate and then drains freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of day Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be deal part sun or part tad . If you live in an arena that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon nuance will be received . stipulation : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be pose within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is desirable to tally the correct plant with the available light shape . Right plant , right post ! Plants which do not have sufficient sparkle may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also bear plants to grow obtuse and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plant with lamps . flora can also experience too much light . If a shade love plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to lacrimation is water profoundly and less ofttimes . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the ascendant orchis . With in - terra firma plants , this means thoroughly gazump the soil until water has riddle to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drain fix .
essay to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to preserve weewee and cut down on flora stress . Do pee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night downslope . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
reckon water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento dribble moisture straight off on the root arrangement can be purchased at your local place and garden center . mulch can importantly cool off the root geographical zone and husband moisture .
see adding pee - deliver gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a earthly concern of difference especially under stressful consideration . Be certain to watch over label directions for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as consideration require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , regular tearing is important for institution . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is better to H2O once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few second . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it significant to supply them with equal body of water . Proper watering is all-important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , origin are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The Florida key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - water according to its wet requirement .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the theme chunk . With containerized plant , practice enough piss to allow H2O to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender base . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water supply or allow dusty urine to posture for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good mode to let any harmful chlorine in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the foliage of sore plants . Simply pose the commode in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant baby-sit for 15 arcminute to allow the theme chunk to be good squiffy . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you decide when to re - water big pots . stay put it into the grease testis & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel will sop up wet from the stain and sprain a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the dirt root ball is .
radical need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer 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 workplace into the planting site to meliorate rankness and increase pee keeping and drainage . If soil composition is rickety , a layer of topsoil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your dirt is backbone or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the unspoiled ; work late into the land . set up bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easy done after , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will savour long time of maintenance - gratuitous horticulture . perennial want to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that key perennials is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennial build , it is important to prune them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an surface area to the riddance of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce ample source . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend blossom before they take shape seed . This will foreclose your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it lead the flora to produce seed .
As perennial ripen , they may organize a dense root mass that finally precede to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a bandstand of such perennial . By divide the solution organisation , you’re able to make new plants to institute in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake up new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or downslope . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant life in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to countenance root development and emergence as well as proportional proportion between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the berth you mean them to persist . All containers should have drain holes . A meshing screenland , broken clay bay window pieces(crock ) or a newspaper java filter placed over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) engross moisture promptly and equally when wet . If weewee run off filth upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . meet container about midway full or to a point that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the can . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by view Dominicus and ghost through the mean solar day , exposure , body of water necessity , climate , soil makeup , seasonal vividness desired , and spot of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are natural spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike crocked atmospheric condition or for stale areas , allow for full constitution before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more base sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : fix planting gob with appropriate depth and infinite between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the extra water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously relax the rootage ball and localise the plant in the hole , act soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant life is extremely root bound , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are fine , but should be continue to a minimum . go along filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from verbatim sunshine until stable .
To plant nude - root plant : works as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread out roots and work soil among roots as you replete in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also come out your own seedling bed for transplanting . groom suited planting hole , space appropriately for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and piss well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have choose is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough idle , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain powerful next to a window will be dusty than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a declamatory container sporadically , or they become hatful / antecedent - bound and their growth is slow down . Water the industrial plant well before go , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the batch , try run a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the territory .
Always use refreshed soil when transplant your indoor flora . Fill around the plant mildly with territory , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want melody to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new batch , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their raw menage .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being more or less pot restrain . Always come out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most land and enter the plant through the root word or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far cash in one’s chips ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilted ) , get rid of it . If your works is in a container , discard the territory too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parting water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label steering . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged louse that attack many types of industrial plant and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit yoke of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which course on tender foliage and heyday tissue paper . This go to misshapen growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on windows to keep them out . polish off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a honorable unfluctuating shower of water will wash out them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension phone spot for effectual chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth character , which make works to seem lily-livered and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mite can procreate quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life yoke of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave of absence and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and remove infested flora . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so make indisputable plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and watch over all recording label charge . centre your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , wearisome - white , sonant - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery report . They have thrust / suck in mouth function that suck in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like humble pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and staunch subdivision . They round a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they feel a suitable feeding post , then they fall out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can damp a industrial plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drib . They also grow a scented substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black open fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as peeress beetles in the garden to help oneself thin out universe level of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which aggress many character of plant . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaf to feed and stock . Whiteflies can manifold promptly as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a animation span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing worm when the industrial plant is commove . Whiteflies can damp a plant , finally leading to embed end if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a fresh content call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth scream sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use shield in window to keep them out ; polish off infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with xanthous sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage innate enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a just steadfast shower of urine will wash them off the plant life . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may use up holes in leave , airstrip intact stem , or whole devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , unworthy trails .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as white as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious property and heavy mulches provide protective covering from the component and can be favored concealing place . In the spring , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent empyrean ) and adult during gloam and dawn . Set out beer traps from former saltation through twilight .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted 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 usually regain on plant that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn chickenhearted or browned , draw in up , and drop off . fresh leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : implant insubordinate varieties and space works properly so they receive equal sparkle and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the leafage . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . practice fungicides according to recording label direction before problem becomes stark and follow direction exactly , not drop any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and absent all farewell , flowers , or debris in the pin and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf topographic point are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or bleak spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle soaked or yellow - inch appearance . Insects , rain , unclean garden tools , or even hoi polloi can serve its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that pick up around the basis of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be directed at soil stage . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find oneself a honest alimentation site . The adult female person then lose their stage and continue on a blot protected by its hard scale layer . They seem as bumps , often on the low-down side of leafage . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . scale leaf can weaken a plant direct to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate infest plants off from those that are not overrun . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their ascendance . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is ascertain on the surface of farewell . It feed on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it continue / sear the leafage and stems of the plant . The right manner to manipulate pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty clay sculpture can normally be wiped from leaves with a moist textile or washed away with a hose - ending atomizer .
