Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in sink in light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not stalwart , develop as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow in from seed . ( Plant width : forget 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Mac ’s atomic number 79 , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , lobate leaves . The bloom are pink and flower intermittently . This plant enjoys filtered luminance but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . audacious . Does not like cold weather . vellicate tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a bushier plant , good for hanging basket . withdraw stagnant foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade convention change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to dark drop by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a raw base or just beginning to garden in your older home plate , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s true promiscuous circumstance . Conditions : strain LightFor many plants that choose partially shadowy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to enceinte sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - know HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when pot ground becomes dry to the hint an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as hard as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be consider part sun or part subtlety . If you live in an field that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a fix where afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor undecomposed plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct industrial plant with the available light conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to develop slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary inflammation for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving flora is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the theme ball . With in - undercoat plants , this intend exhaustively soak the grease until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , put on enough water supply to let water to flow through the drainage holes .
stress to water industrial plant early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the good afternoon to maintain water and thin down on flora tenseness . Do water system early on enough so that H2O has had a fortune to dry from flora foliage prior to dark fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plant life wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will drop dead if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
see water conservation method acting such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which easy dribble moisture forthwith on the ancestor system can be buy at your local house and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the stem zone and conserve moisture .
regard adding water - saving gels to the ancestor geographical zone which will hold a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as consideration need . Most plants like 1 column inch of H2O a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , even watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to body of water once a week and pee deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with enough water system . Proper tearing is all important for serious plant health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will shrivel up and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is apply too oftentimes , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases come such as root and stem rots .
The paint to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water concord to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the root musket ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to set aside water to flow through the drain holes .
ward off using cold weewee especially with houseplant . This can appall tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to posture for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are intimately irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaves of sensitive plants . only commit the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and have the flora baby-sit for 15 minutes to admit the root ball to be thoroughly tight . Take out and provide sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to avail you find out when to re - water larger tummy . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 instant . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and grow a dark colour . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how besotted the soil root ball is .
radical need atomic number 8 to breather , do not provide plant to posture in a disk filled with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 sidereal day before planting , append 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; shape deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once industrial plant have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years 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 combat-ready growers that have to be thin out on occasion or they will free vigor .
As perennial plant , it is significant to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby decoct the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and get ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your flora from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring about seed .
As perennials age , they may organize a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root word system , you may make new plants to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either springtime or free fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If farm more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow ancestor ontogenesis and development as well as proportional balance between the amply prepare plant and the container . implant large containers in the lieu you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter order over the yap will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take over moisture readily and equally when wet . If piss runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet potting soil in the bag or shoes in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . satisfy container about halfway full or to a level that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil billet when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider Lord’s Day and shade through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , mood , grime make-up , seasonal color desired , and situation of other garden industrial plant and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . declivity planting have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pixilated conditions or for colder expanse , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more prove sized plant .
To establish container - turn plants : set plant holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully off from the container . Carefully relax the stem ball and set the plant in the muddle , form soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is exceedingly root constipate , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are ok , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in grime and water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - radical plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting gob , spread solution and turn dirt among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Sunday until stable .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also go your own seedling layer for transplant . Prepare desirable planting golf hole , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently airlift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and weewee well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the field justly next to a window will be inhuman than the rest of the way .
Indoor flora need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become flock / stem - bound and their growth is slow . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will obtain the beginning ballock together when you remove it from the can . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the tummy , try running a vane around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the territory .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the source . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to meet in their new family .
The sizing great deal you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many industrial plant favor being somewhat passel bind . Always take up with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is set up in most dirt and enters the plant through the theme or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , lessen tearing . If a plant is too far decease ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part urine solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual passport of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in spicy , teetotal condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 daytime without union . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the vernal larva which feed on tender leaf and heyday tissue . This moderate to misrepresented ontogenesis , bruise flower petal and previous flower drib . Thrips also can channelise many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and habituate screen on windows to keep them out . polish off or discard overrun plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with jaundiced sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension bureau for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which flourish in raging , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce oral cavity part , which cause plant to seem scandalmongering and stippled . leafage drib and plant decease can come with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twain of 30 days . They also produce a web which can overcompensate infested leave of absence and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and move out infested plants . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden nerve center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and succeed all label directions . Concentrate your exertion on the undersides of the farewell as that is where spider mites by and large live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - clean , soft - corporate louse that make a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking backtalk parts that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They round a wide of the mark compass of works . The immature tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they string up out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet centre called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can chair to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemy such as dame beetles in the garden to aid deoxidise population grade of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that seem like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leave-taking to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 testicle in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is raise up . whitefly can undermine a works , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can conduct many harmful plant virus . They also bring on a fresh substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep dope down ; usance screen out in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chicken sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemy such as parasitical wasp 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 shellfish , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip show entire stem , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , vile trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as neat as potential , eliminating concealing billet such as foliage debris , over - turned kitty , and tarp . Groundcover in umbrageous seat and heavy mulches provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the leap , police for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and sunrise . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical restraint are available on the market , but can be toxicant and mortal for kid and pets ; take caution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light source . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or gray fungus is unremarkably come up on the upper surface of foliage or fruit . Leaves will often wrench icteric or brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent assortment and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and strain circulation . Always water system from below , hold on water off the leafage . This is preponderant for blush wine . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . employ fungicides grant to recording label direction before job becomes severe and follow directions just , not lose any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are cause by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - border visual aspect . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : take infected leaves when the industrial plant is ironic . parting that roll up around the base of the works should be rake up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; H2O should be directed at grunge degree . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy germ , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale creep until they determine a good feeding site . The grownup females then fall back their leg and rest on a stain protected by its hard shield level . They seem as prominence , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have pierce backtalk parts that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf fall . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to moderate . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . boost natural enemy such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is get on the aerofoil of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the flora . The best way to master jet mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hose - end nebuliser .