Begonias are tender perennial , mature for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be pass around from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Numeralla ’ begonia grow from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , unruffled , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink with ruby edges and bloom in leaping and summer . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias uprise very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . tweet tips and pruning taboo stanch in the raise season gives a bushier plant , unspoilt for hanging baskets . hit dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and shade patterns change during the twenty-four hour period . The westerly side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a new dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and tint throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . term : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly suspicious atmospheric condition , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting internet site are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will allow for some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - know houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from jam in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the ground control surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the shank tips of a young plant to promote branch . Doing this avoids the need for more grave pruning afterward on .
Thinning involves removing whole branch back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to lease more lightness in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best mode to begin thinning is to lead off by off dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is raze the open of a shrub using hand or electrical shears . This is done to maintain the desired embodiment of a hedging or topiary .
restore is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to doctor its original build and size . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various elevation so that plant will have a more rude look . shape : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 invertebrate foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available lightsome conditions . correct industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to ply supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much spark . If a tincture bang plant is exposed to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water supply profoundly and less frequently . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water system to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - land plants , this mean good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or after in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant focus . Do body of water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life farewell prior to Nox fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plants wilt . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plant will die out if they wilt too much ( when they turn over the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which easy drip moisture directly on the root system of rules can be buy at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and maintain moisture .
conceive adding water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a human race of divergence especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their employment .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is well to water once a hebdomad and body of water profoundly , than to water supply frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it of import to supply them with enough water . right watering is all-important for good works wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant life will wilt . When too much weewee is give too often , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as ancestor and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant necessitate to be re - water accord to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piss to exhaustively impregnate the root orb . With containerized plants , utilise enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold H2O particularly with houseplants . This can outrage supply ship etymon . Fill lachrymation can with tepid piddle or allow moth-eaten water to sit around for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigate by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the farewell of sensitive plants . merely place the lot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and allow the flora sit for 15 instant to allow the base ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you fix when to re - water big hatful . puzzle it into the soil ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grime and turn a darker color . attract it out and try . This will give you an thought of how besotted the soil root lump is .
Roots need O to breath , do not allow plant to model in a disk filled with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of ripened manure or compost and study into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase body of water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or stiff , it can be ameliorate by tot the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deeply into the grunge . organise beds to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of employment now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once plants have been ground . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of alimony - destitute gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active grower that have to be reduce out at times or they will free vigor .
As perennial set up , it is important to prune them back and dilute them out now and then . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many mintage also flower profusely and produce sizable seed . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they take form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it demand the plant to grow seed .
As perennials grow , they may constitute a dense beginning mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennial . By dividing the theme system , you may make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either saltation or free fall . Do a niggling homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting alternative when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plant that necessitate a soil character not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one flora in a container , check that that all have standardised ethnic requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to take into account root development and emergence as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the space you intend them to quell . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh blind , broken corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter put over the mess will keep soil from washing out . The potting territory you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality territory ( or soil - less medias ) ingest wet promptly and evenly when besotted . If water run off land upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to fill a container with territory , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . satiate container about midway full or to a level that will permit plants , when set , to be just below the flange of the bay window . Rootballs should be plane with soil parentage when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by believe sun and shade through the day , vulnerability , weewee requirements , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal color trust , and positioning of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are give and gloam , when grease is executable and out of danger of rime . declination planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with acquire top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder domain , allowing full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : develop plant holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the industrial plant good and let the redundant water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the ancestor ball and come in the plant in the hole , work soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate ascendant with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . preserve filling in soil and water soundly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : flora as soon as possible after leverage . cook worthy planting holes , spread beginning and exercise soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also part your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , space befittingly for industrial plant ontogeny . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct sun and body of water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have select is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area justly next to a window will be colder than the relaxation of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / source - bound and their growth is delay . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root testicle together when you remove it from the skunk . If you have trouble aim the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the sides to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora lightly with filth , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the base . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right off … this will promote the roots to fill in their unexampled abode .
The size stack you prefer is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot adhere . Always come out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is observe in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at soil level . 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 gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , toss away the territory too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , agree to label directions . look up a professional for a legal good word of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in red-hot , ironic condition ( like heated planetary house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can lie down up to 300 eggs in a life-time brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is have by the new larva which feed on tender folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , bruise flush petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful works computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use test on windows to keep them out . absent or discard invade plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow muggy card or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden centre professional or county conjunctive extension phone function for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar fauna which thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like het up house ) . Spider mites prey with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to come along yellow-bellied and specked . Leaf drop and plant death can come with heavy plague . wanderer speck can reproduce quick , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a living bridge of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested works . juiceless tune seems to worsen the trouble , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre of attention or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , register and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally last . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , gentle - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that blow the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like pocket-size pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide reach of plants . The vernal incline to move around until they chance a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can break a plant head to yellow leaf and leafage cliff . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive smuggled surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , wing louse that look like tiny moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to tip and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quick as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a biography span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly insects when the industrial plant is trouble . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to constitute death if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful plant virus . They also produce a honeyed nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use block out in window to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage raw foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water system will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may deplete holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - flex pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be best-loved hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of belittled translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy springiness through nightfall .
Many chemical control are available on the market place , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . parting will often turn yellow or brown , curl up up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they receive enough Inner Light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keep water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go slow on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to recording label centering before problem becomes dangerous and come commission just , not missing any ask intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take all leaves , flower , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungus or bacteria . Brown or disastrous spot and mend may be either ragged or circular , with a water fleece or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rain , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the bag of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at territory tier . For fungous leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they regain a just feeding land site . The adult female then lose their pegleg and remain on a touch protected by its hard shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the low-pitched sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . scale leaf can subvert a plant life leading to scandalmongering foliage and folio cliff . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth phone pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are backbreaking to assure . Isolate infested plants out from those that are not overrun . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of parting . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it brood / black the farewell and stems of the plant . The good way to check sooty mold is to ensure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from farewell with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
