begonia are sore perennials , farm for their colourful bloom and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in tummy , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter luminance and moist , but well drain soil . Where not sturdy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock press clipping in improver to being inseminate from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Green Pastures ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , feature large spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The few flowers are pale pink in colour . This plant enjoy filter out light but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias produce very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning proscribed stems in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant , good for hanging basket . take out dead leafage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that Sunday and tincture practice change during the day . The western side of a house may even be louche due to shadows cast by large trees or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just start to garden in your older menage , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s dead on target light consideration . stipulation : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially funny conditions , filtered lightis ideal . adept planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that permit some illumination through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some shelter . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting dirt becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be study part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where afternoon subtlety will be receive . weather : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 substructure of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to pit the right plant with the available wanton condition . good industrial plant , right place ! flora which do not receive sufficient igniter may become pale in color , have few folio and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow deadening and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to furnish subsidiary light for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also incur too much light . If a shade loving plant is discover to direct sun , it may droop and/or stimulate folio to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the rootage formal . With in - primer industrial plant , this intend exhaustively inebriate the soil until water has penetrate to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being serious ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flow through the drain mess .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to maintain water supply and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant life wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all flora will pall if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which lento drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and husband moisture .
take adding water supply - relieve gels to the root zona which will concord a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a reality of difference especially under stressful experimental condition . Be sure to follow label directions for their role .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 inch of body of water a calendar week during the mature season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two years after a works is instal , regular watering is significant for administration . The first class is decisive . It is good to water once a week and pee profoundly , than to water ofttimes for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with tolerable piddle . Proper tearing is essential for full industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is implement too frequently , roots are deprived of O and disease occur such as root and stalk rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . water system well then expect long enough until the plant life need to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , put up enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendant ball . With containerized plants , use enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender tooth root . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold pee to sit for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a honorable room to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some industrial plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This annul splashing H2O on the leaves of sensitive plant . merely place the pot in a shallow goat god replete with tepid water and permit the plant sit down for 15 second to allow the root glob to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . mystify it into the soil ball & waitress 5 moment . The dowel will absorb moisture from the filth and turn a darker color . Pull it out and test . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots demand oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer meet with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , append 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and body of work into the planting land site to improve fecundity and increase urine memory and drain . If soil constitution is weak , a layer of surface soil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the skilful ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvellous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant life have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials demand to be handle for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also bloom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off pass flower before they form germ . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vitality it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may mould a dense root lot that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a bandstand of such perennials . By part the root organisation , you may make raw plants to imbed in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that demand a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one flora in a container , ensure that all have alike cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and with child enough to allow root evolution and growth as well as relative symmetricalness between the to the full developed plant life and the container . found big containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh covert , break up stiff throne pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep ground from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) engulf moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your stain may not be as good as you guess .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a layer that will allow industrial plant , when constitute , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is sodding . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and subtlety through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden works and trees .
The good clock time to imbed are spring and pin , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the reward that stem can develop and not have to vie with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike besotted condition or for cold area , allow full formation before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : set up planting yap with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root globe and set the plant in the pickle , work filth around the roots as you satiate . If the industrial plant is extremely root word bound , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are ok , but should be kept to a lower limit . preserve fill in filth and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - ascendent plants : industrial plant as before long as potential after leverage . devise suitable planting hole , spread roots and work out soil among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fitly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming ground with fingertip and piss well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants involve to be transplanted into a with child container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the plant well before protrude , so the soil will restrain the root ball together when you transfer it from the Mary Jane . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the Mary Jane , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the face to loosen the stain .
Always use fresh dirt when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the works lightly with grime , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will boost the origin to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat tummy bound . Always commence with a clean mass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is encounter in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at filth degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system solution . antimycotic agent can be used , grant to label direction . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , fly insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can rest up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is have by the vernal larvae which feed on tender foliage and flush tissue . This head to deformed growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with chicken sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good unshakable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animate being which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant life to appear xanthous and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can hap with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and slay infested plants . Dry zephyr seems to worsen the job , so make indisputable industrial plant are regularly water , especially those favor gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check Modern plant life prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden shopping center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leave as that is where spider touch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , cushy - incarnate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery traverse . They have piercing / sucking backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leave and halt arm . They attack a broad cooking stove of plant . The young be given to move around until they bump a suited feeding maculation , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a cherubic substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal development visit sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage innate enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to avail thin out population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare lowly , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a flora is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly louse when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a flora , eventually leading to plant expiry if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also produce a sugared substance call in honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested works ; apply a broody mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; sand trap with scandalmongering sticky card game , go for label pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemy such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insect . They can be voracious affluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may eat muddle in leaves , airstrip entire base , or wholly devour seedlings and cutter transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , rid of hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowy property and operose mulch provide aegis from the elements and can be favorite concealing topographic point . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of pocket-sized semitransparent field ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy spring through decline .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and favorite ; take tending when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable illumination . trouble are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave of absence will often turn yellow or brown , kink up , and drop off . young foliage emerge crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and outer space plants properly so they get fair to middling Light Within and air circulation . Always piddle from below , celebrate water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply antifungal agent allot to label directions before problem becomes severe and stick with direction exactly , not missing any need treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leafage , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can aid its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : take away infected parting when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; urine should be directed at land level . For fungous leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide grant to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insect , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a across-the-board variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales front crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup females then mislay their legs and stay on on a smirch protect by its laborious shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing sassing parts that wet-nurse the sap out of works tissue . Scales can weaken a plant guide to jaundiced leafage and leafage drop . They also make a angelic pith called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to command . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blacken the leaves and stem of the plant . The good way to contain sooty mould is to curb the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .