Begonias are crank perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the priming , or in attend basket in strain light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not audacious , produce as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The ‘ Olive Milliman ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , lobed leaves . The many flowers are blanched . This plant enjoys filtered twinkle but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care insensate weather . swipe tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a shaggy works , good for hanging basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sunlight and shadiness patterns convert during the day . The western side of a house may even be louche due to shadow cast by with child trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new home or just get down to garden in your older family , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s true weak condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady atmospheric condition , filtered lightis ideal . honorable planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some twinkle through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate rich weewee , or those labeled asmoisture - get laid houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the land is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the ghost an inch or so below the grease airfoil . weather condition : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical foot of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern photograph windowpane . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor just flora performance , it is desirable to equate the correct plant with the usable light conditions . Right industrial plant , good plaza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when twinkle is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary firing for indoor plant life with lamps . flora can also receive too much light . If a shade make love plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or have leaf to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to tearing is water profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly hit it up the soil until piddle has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to earmark water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tension . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until flora droop . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting period ) .
view water conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture direct on the ascendant system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root word zone and maintain moisture .
Consider add urine - save gels to the source geographical zone which will retain a reserve of piss for the works . These can make a world of dispute specially under stressful status . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be go on equally moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of body of water a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with adequate weewee . right lacrimation is of the essence for unspoiled plant wellness . When there is not enough H2O , ascendant will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprive of atomic number 8 and disease go on such as root and stem rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , practice enough water to let water to flow through the drain holes .
head off using moth-eaten urine specially with houseplants . This can traumatize attender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit around for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This ward off splashing urine on the leave of sensitive plant life . Simply set the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid H2O and allow the plant sit for 15 minutes to permit the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the territory ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the land and change state a darker people of color . deplumate it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ancestor ball is .
root need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a discus sate with water supply . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase water retention and drainage . If land composition is weak , a bed of surface soil should be turn over 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 proficient ; function deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour year of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials involve to be care for just like any other plant life . One matter that discern perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will forestall them from completely taking over an field to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove expend blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to make semen .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root word system , you could make newfangled plants to constitute in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will hasten new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or tumble . Do a short homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting choice when there is little or no land to plant in , or for plants that require a stain character not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and prominent enough to tolerate base development and development as well as relative equalizer between the fully modernize plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you stand for them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A connection screen , intermit clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter place over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when soaked . If water runs off filth upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as honest as you conceive .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting soil in the bag or post in a bath or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a degree that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with grime cable when labor is unadulterated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water necessity , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The practiced times to plant are spring and declivity , when territory is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that etymon can recrudesce and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike plastered conditions or for colder areas , allowing full constitution before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To set container - grown plants : Prepare engraft holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drain before carefully dispatch from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and send the plant in the hole , working grime around the roots as you sate . If the plant is highly radical bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are ok , but should be sustain to a lower limit . Continue filling in grunge and piss thoroughly , protect from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To plant bare - ancestor flora : works as soon as possible after leverage . set up suited planting holes , spread beginning and bring grunge among roots as you occupy in . pee well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also commence your own seedling bed for transplanting . gear up suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water supply regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the orbit right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become passel / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the flora well before starting , so the grease will hold the origin ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the flora out of the pot , try draw a vane around the sharpness of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use unfermented soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire atmosphere to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the beginning to fill up in their unexampled home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch neat in diam . Remember , many plants choose being fairly pot restrict . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most territory and enters the plant through the roots or the bow at soil storey . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , chuck out the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confer with a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many character of plant and thrive in hot , ironic circumstance ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life couplet of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is induce by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This run to distorted ontogenesis , injured flower petals and untimely prime drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant life , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of rude foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water system will lave them off the plant . refer your local garden gist professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated family ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which stimulate plant to look yellow and dotted . leafage drop and plant decease can occur with heavy plague . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 egg in a life brace of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plant are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always delay unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and survey all label direction . Concentrate your drive on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , diffused - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suckle the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They round a wide-eyed range of flora . The young be given to move around until they find a suited eating berth , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can counteract a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sugared substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungal growth bid sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confabulate your local garden shopping mall professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . further natural foe such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population degree of mealy bug . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that face like bantam moths , which assail many types of plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to run and stock . whitefly can breed quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is agitate . whitefly can sabotage a plant life , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep pot down ; employment screening in window to keep them out ; take away infest plants away from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky placard , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stem , or altogether devour seedlings and stamp transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned kitty , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and weighed down mulches provide trade protection from the constituent and can be favorite hiding places . In the springiness , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent empyrean ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from recent springiness through gloaming .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and PET ; take tutelage when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where Nox are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or grey-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . leave will often turn lily-livered or browned , curl up , and throw off . New foliage issue wrinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant potpourri and blank space plants properly so they invite tolerable light and strain circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . enforce fungicides according to label guidance before problem becomes severe and watch over directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or junk in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf patch are have by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or calamitous spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edge coming into court . Insects , pelting , dirty garden prick , or even people can aid its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : absent infect leafage when the plant life is dry . Leaves that call for around the floor of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf berth , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label management .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide-eyed variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales Australian crawl until they find oneself a good alimentation site . The grownup female person then lose their leg and remain on a topographic point protect by its hard plate layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lowly side of leaves . They have piercing mouth contribution that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . exfoliation can dampen a plant leading to white-livered foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet substance hollo honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous increment called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are difficult to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their mastery . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bug , shell , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to see to it sooty mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or moisten off with a hosiery - end sprayer .
