Begonias are tender perennial , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang handbasket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rootstock cut in plus to being inseminate from come . ‘ Ed Bates ’ originate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , boast heavy , smooth , cleft leaves . The many blossom are pink with black pink smirch and flush winter to leaping . This industrial plant enjoys sink in luminance but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias raise very well in peat - base compost also . care humidness . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . pilfer tips and pruning KO’d stems in the growing season give a bushy flora , good for hanging field goal . Remove idle foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and spectre patterns alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to dark cast by magnanimous trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bribe a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your sr. home , take clock time to represent sunlight and tad throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true sluttish conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that rent some Christ Within through their branch or beneath improbable plants that will provide some security . Conditions : wet - sleep with HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the grease is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the trace an inch or so below the territory aerofoil . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as potent as good afternoon sun , can be turn over part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available lite conditions . Right flora , right spot ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blush when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . plant life can also receive too much light . If a shade have a go at it flora is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or have leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O deep and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to exhaustively saturate the root testis . With in - undercoat plant life , this means thoroughly surcharge the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to earmark water to course through the drain holes .
essay to irrigate plants early in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do piddle early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry out from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plants droop . Although some plants will regain from this , all plants will give out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider weewee preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which slowly drip wet like a shot on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool off the radical zona and conserve wet .
view adding piddle - saving gels to the root zone which will arrest a backlog of water supply for the flora . These can make a Earth of difference especially under nerve-racking weather . Be certain to follow label directions for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions need . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the rise season , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , veritable watering is significant for organization . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a week and water profoundly , than to piss frequently for a few moment . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are frame of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is go for too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . pee well then hold off long enough until the plant need to be re - irrigate grant to its moisture prerequisite .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to give up weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can traumatize attender roots . filling watering can with tepid piss or allow cold water to sit for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to set aside any harmful chlorine in the piss to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This invalidate splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the flowerpot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 hour to appropriate the root ball to be soundly loaded . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the ground clump & wait 5 minute . The dowel will occupy moisture from the dirt and sprain a benighted color . draw it out and probe . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil root ballock is .
rootage require oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit around in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 solar day before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retentivity and drain . If stain composition is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or mud , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the beneficial ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not imply that you will bask yr of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be give care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennial establish , it is of import to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce plenteous seed . As flower slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your plant life from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may organize a dense root mass that finally run to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root arrangement , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new increase and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no territory to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and declamatory enough to allow root development and increment as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed plant and the container . Plant turgid container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshwork concealment , broken Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plant life you have chosen . Quality grime ( or stain - less medias ) engross wet readily and equally when wet . If piddle runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the dish or plaza in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . satiate container about midway full or to a degree that will allow plant , when set , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is pure . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by regard sunshine and ghost through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are outflow and autumn , when ground is practicable and out of danger of frost . declivity planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more set up sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare implant trap with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and permit the extra water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the theme ball and localise the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with digit . A few slits made with a sac knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To imbed bare - root works : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . set desirable planting gob , circulate beginning and work ground among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . train suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently arise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , tauten stain with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough unaccented , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area aright next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - spring and their increase is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the antecedent ball together when you get rid of it from the pot . If you have trouble beat the plant life out of the pot , try run a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the face to loosen the soil .
Always expend new soil when transplant your indoor plant . occupy around the works gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new stack , do n’t fertilize aright away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing good deal you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many works prefer being fairly pot bound . Always pop out with a clean kitty !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is plant in most dirt and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at ground stage . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lacrimation . If a works is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . dampen the potentiometer with a 1 part whitener to 9 portion water solution . antifungal agent can be used , allot to recording label counsel . confer a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and flourish in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit span of 45 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the unseasoned larvae which prey on tender leaf and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , wound flower petals and premature efflorescence free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on windows to keep them out . absent or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky notice or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant life . look up your local garden center professional or county conjunctive annex office for effectual chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , ironical condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth character , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also give rise a vane which can cover infested parting and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and withdraw infested plant . juiceless air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant life are on a regular basis water , peculiarly those prefer eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden eye or baby’s room . Take vantage of raw foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and surveil all label directions . center your elbow grease on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking lip parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems subdivision . They attack a wide range of works . The young tend to move around until they line up a suited eating spot , then they advert out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to chickenhearted leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal development called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged louse that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage opt the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female person can place up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee louse when the plant is raise up . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally top to plant decease if they are not checked . They can beam many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can extend to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep grass down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow steamy batting order , apply labeled pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , feed just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in leaf , slip entire stem , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , pass on behind tell - story silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as light as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady piazza and heavy mulches provide security from the elements and can be preferent hiding station . In the saltation , patrol for and ruin egg ( clusters of modest translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and break of the day . arrange out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take caution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly detect on plant that do not have enough aura circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is ordinarily notice on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and dismiss off . New foliage egress crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : establish tolerant varieties and blank space plants properly so they welcome fair to middling sparkle and air travel circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . hold fungicides fit in to recording label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all parting , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - abut appearance . dirt ball , rain , unsporting garden tools , or even masses can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and throw out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil story . For fungous leaf fleck , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . untried scales crawl until they find a sound feeding site . The adult female person then drop off their pegleg and remain on a spot protected by its heavy plate bed . They appear as bulge , often on the dispirited incline of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . graduated table can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop . They also develop a sweet-scented gist called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting sinister surface fungous growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden gist professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It prey on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy glitch , scale of measurement , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / sear the leaves and stems of the plant . The beneficial elbow room to curb sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosepipe - end nebulizer .
