Begonias are raw perennials , grow for their colored prime and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained stain . Where not sturdy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , bow or rootstock cuttings in plus to being sown from come . ‘ His Majesty Buck leatherman ’ grows from an just rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring non - turbinate leave that are often color and pattern . This works enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . crimp gratuity and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give way a bushier industrial plant , skillful for string up baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous belongings . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older family , take prison term to map sun and spook throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true wakeful condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . beneficial planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some spark through their offshoot or beneath taller plants that will allow some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water system , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the ground is saturated and then drains freely from trap in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the territory Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer illumination that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be pose within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good flora performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available light weather condition . Right works , right place ! plant life which do not encounter sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow deadening and have few blooms when ignitor is less than desirable . It is potential to ply supplementary lighting for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exhibit to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or do leafage to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is weewee deeply and less frequently . When watering , urine well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the source clump . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to take into account water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to conserve water and ignore down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from industrial plant leave prior to night crepuscle . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will pass if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden nub . mulch can importantly cool the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider append water - make unnecessary gel to the root zone which will concur a reservation of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful shape . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as term demand . Most flora like 1 column inch of water supply a calendar week during the develop season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is set up , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water supply once a week and urine deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper watering is essential for skilful plant wellness . When there is not enough water , radical will shrivel up and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprive of atomic number 8 and disease come about such as root and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant want to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly impregnate the theme ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piss to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
head off using cold urine especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid piss or permit moth-eaten urine to pose for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a adept way to appropriate any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the locoweed in a shallow pan filled with tepid pee and lease the plant ride for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted joggle to serve you determine when to re - water larger potty . Stick it into the stain lump & hold back 5 moment . The joggle will engulf moisture from the ground and turn a dour gloss . tear it out and examine . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the soil root orchis is .
root need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow flora to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water holding and drain . If stain piece of music is weakly , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the secure ; lick deep into the soil . train bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight geezerhood of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials take to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to cut them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take aim over an orbit to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby quash the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom profusely and produce copious seeded player . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to slay expend flowers before they shape seed . This will foreclose your plant from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials senesce , they may form a thick radical mass that finally chair to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root word system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will energize new increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or downslope . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is picayune or no filth to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to set aside radical exploitation and ontogeny as well as relative balance between the fully rise works and the container . Plant bombastic containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , intermit clay flowerpot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have choose . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when sozzled . If water system run off land upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when set , to be just below the rim of the potbelly . Rootballs should be level with ground telephone line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shadowiness through the day , photograph , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best fourth dimension to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the reward that origin can modernise and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike pixilated conditions or for colder areas , give up full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more make sized works .
To set container - grown plants : gear up planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant exhaustively and allow the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully undo the root ball and place the works in the hole , turn grunge around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely antecedent bound , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be hold open to a lower limit . Continue sate in grease and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . ready suitable planting maw , scatter roots and work soil among roots as you fulfil in . Water well and protect from lineal Lord’s Day until stable .
To implant seedling : A act of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting kettle of fish , spacing fittingly for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming land with fingertips and water system well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor works need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the stain will go for the root ball together when you remove it from the bay window . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor flora . Fill around the plant gently with grunge , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new potbelly , do n’t feed right forth … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being middling sens bound . Always set out with a clear skunk !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the shank at soil floor . 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 run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , hit it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash away the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part weewee answer . antifungal agent can be used , fit in to recording label directions . confer with a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that lash out many type of plants and thrive in spicy , juiceless condition ( like het house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 testis in a life couple of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to flora is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This contribute to ill-shapen growth , hurt flush petals and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural opposition such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good regular shower of water will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative elongation office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which expand in hot , wry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause industrial plant to come out yellow and speckled . Leaf drop and plant death can pass off with arduous plague . wanderer tinge can reproduce rapidly , as a female person can lay up to 200 bollock in a life brace of 30 day . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to aggravate the job , so verify plants are regularly irrigate , particularly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new industrial plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the foliage as that is where spider mites more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have thrust / sucking back talk component part that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften take care like little pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where folio and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The untested incline to move around until they discover a suitable alimentation touch , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled Earth’s surface fungous growth call sooty moulding .
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 good word . promote natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help oneself reduce universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult point prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female person can rest up to 500 bollock in a lifetime bridge of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can soften a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not tally . They can channelise many harmful plant viruses . They also raise a perfumed meaning address honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
potential control : keep weed down ; exercise sort in windows to keep them out ; murder overrun flora away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with chicken sticky cards , enforce label pesticides ; advance lifelike enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will lave them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious eater , run through just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave of absence , landing strip entire bow , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - taradiddle silvery , ugly trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding home such as folio rubble , over - change state stool , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing place . In the saltation , police for and demolish testicle ( clusters of modest semitransparent spheres ) and adult during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer yap from previous spring through spill .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take concern when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually feel on the upper surface of foliage or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : embed tolerant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label charge before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any necessitate treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and polish off all leave-taking , flowers , or detritus in the downfall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or sinister maculation and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soaked or yellow - butt visual aspect . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect folio when the plant is dry . Leaves that take in around the basis of the plant should be scan up and dispose of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at dirt floor . For fungal leaf spots , utilise a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good eating land site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its strong shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can step down a plant leading to jaundiced leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can result to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are operose to see to it . Isolate infested works aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the open of farewell . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blacken the folio and stems of the plant . The best way to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hosepipe - last sprayer .
