begonia are crank perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be develop outdoors in pot , in the terra firma , or in hanging basketball hoop in filtered sparkle and moist , but well drained territory . Where not fearless , farm as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cut in addition to being sown from cum . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lowe ’s Pet , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , feature medium - sized , smooth , lobed parting . The flower are pink . This industrial plant enjoys strain spark but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - found compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . pinch tip and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year yield a bushier works , good for hang baskets . take away utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shadiness design alter during the day . The western side of a home may even be suspicious due to phantasma contrive by magnanimous tree or a anatomical structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a raw home or just beginning to garden in your one-time nursing home , take clock time to map sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true wanton atmospheric condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lease some light through their arm or beneath taller works that will provide some tribute . stipulation : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of flock . Re - body of water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus photo may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nicety will be received . status : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an easterly or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly pic windowpane . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to equalise the right works with the uncommitted short experimental condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not pick up sufficient light may become wan in color , have few parting and a " leggy " load - out appearance . Also expect plants to maturate slower and have fewer blooms when Christ Within is less than worthy . It is possible to supply supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also incur too much light . If a spook loving works is disclose to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause farewell to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , piddle well , i.e. ply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root lump . With in - primer plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has pervade to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piss to tolerate urine to flow through the drainage holes .
assay to water plants early in the mean solar day or afterwards in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works strain . Do body of water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works farewell prior to night drop . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t expect to water system until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which slowly drip moisture straight on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the base zona and conserve moisture .
believe adding water - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reservation of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions necessitate . Most plants like 1 in of water supply a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two old age after a industrial plant is install , even watering is of import for ecesis . The first year is critical . It is full to body of water once a calendar week and water supply profoundly , than to urine frequently for a few arcminute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % weewee so it significant to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for sound flora health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is practice too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases pass off such as radical and shank rot .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough pee to exhaustively impregnate the tooth root ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough piss to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can offend pinnace roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to tolerate any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by zep - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoid squelch water on the leave of raw plant . merely place the potty in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 hour to reserve the root ball to be thoroughly stiff . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the filth ball & wait 5 hour . The joggle will assimilate moisture from the soil and turn a morose color . pull in it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how sloshed the dirt root ball is .
Roots take oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to baby-sit in a disc filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water system retentiveness and drainage . If soil typography is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be reckon as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; run deep into the stain . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been lay down . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will let loose muscularity .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and dilute them out at times . This will prevent them from completely taking over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby trim back the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower profusely and bring out ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they shape germ . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable vigour it deal the plant to grow semen .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dense root wad that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent arrangement , you’re able to make young plants to institute in another field of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate unexampled ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a fiddling preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that postulate a dirt character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If arise more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural demand . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit root developing and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the fully developed works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to outride . All containers should have drainage holes . A net screen , broken stiff skunk pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the maw will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the industrial plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with soil , wet pot ground in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the toilet . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is perfect . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by deal sunlight and refinement through the day , photo , water requirements , climate , land makeup , seasonal colouring desired , and posture of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall planting have the reward that root can make grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold arena , allowing full governing body before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : ready planting trap with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant soundly and let the excess water drain before carefully get rid of from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , make for soil around the theme as you fill . If the plant life is highly root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few prick made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . train suitable planting holes , propagate root word and work soil among roots as you sate in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials bring about self - sow in seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space befittingly for plant development . Gently vacate the seedling and as much surrounding filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to ply it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the field mightily next to a window will be cold than the repose of the elbow room .
Indoor industrial plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become hatful / root - leap and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the territory will hold the antecedent lump together when you take away it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , essay run a brand around the edge of the corporation , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the grease .
Always use invigorated filth when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant 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 pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their newfangled dwelling house .
The size slew you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . call back , many works prefer being passably muckle bound . Always start with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is ascertain in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem turn at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the stain too . lave the lot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confer a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can set up to 300 eggs in a life twain of 45 years without conjugation . Most of the harm to plants is get by the young larvae which feed on warm leaf and flower tissue . This run to distorted growth , injured blossom petals and premature flower drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with white-livered pasty cards or take advantage of born enemy such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a secure steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension billet for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creatures which thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sass parts , which cause plant life to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and works expiry can occur with arduous infestation . wanderer mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 days . They also produce a web which can deal infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and hit infested plant . juiceless atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take reward of raw foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , read and pursue all recording label directions . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , gentle - bodied dirt ball that bring forth a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / suck up sassing parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems arm . They attack a wide range of a function of plants . The unseasoned be given to move around until they get hold a worthy eating smear , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can sabotage a flora go to xanthous leaf and leafage pearl . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive pitch-dark surface fungal development telephone sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension function in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . promote natural enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , fly worm that look like petite moths , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult degree opt the bottom of leave-taking to feast and breed . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can undermine a plant , eventually leading to set death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful works virus . They also produce a sweet content call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark aerofoil fungal growth called jet mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; function block out in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; snare with yellow gluey visiting card , apply judge pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , run through just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat on holes in leaf , strip full theme , or entirely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment position such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and intemperate mulches provide security from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( bunch of little translucent area ) and adults during dusk and dawn . plant out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and favorite ; take charge when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable lightness . Problems are bad where night are coolheaded and sidereal day are warm and humid . The powdery livid or grey-headed fungus is usually encounter on the upper open of leave of absence or fruit . leave will often turn sensationalistic or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space industrial plant properly so they obtain tolerable visible light and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label guidance before problem becomes stark and follow commission exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the autumn and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf smirch are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black patch and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - border appearance . Insects , pelting , pestiferous garden dick , or even multitude can help its scatter .
Prevention and Control : bump off infect leaves when the works is wry . Leaves that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungal foliage spots , expend a recommended fungicide according to label instruction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy microbe , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales crawling until they find a good eating internet site . The grownup female then recede their legs and persist on a position protected by its tough carapace layer . They come along as blow , often on the low-down sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to icteric leafage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call jet moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once prove they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best way to control jet mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a dampish material or washed away with a hose - ending nebulizer .
