Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in cling baskets in filtered luminance and moist , but well run out land . Where not stalwart , develop as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be pass around from leaf , base or rootstock cuttings in plus to being sown from seminal fluid . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inches ) The ‘ Puberty ’ begonia produce from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring gravid , smooth , lobate leaves . This flora enjoys dribble Light Within but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . intrepid . Does not care moth-eaten weather . Pinching bakshish and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . move out dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade patterns exchange during the daylight . The western side of a house may even be fishy due to shadows regorge by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take meter to map Sunday and nicety throughout the day . You will get a more exact look for your site ’s reliable light conditions . circumstance : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady shape , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some Inner Light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that want ample water , or those label asmoisture - sleep together houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of mickle . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is significant to them . Often dawn Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be moot part sun or part shade . If you live in an field that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon subtlety will be have . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be station within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is worthy to equalise the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right industrial plant , right seat ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in gloss , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " dilute - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow dense and have few blooms when Christ Within is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade hump flora is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The winder to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means soundly soaking the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , give enough water to allow piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
test to water plants early in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from plant foliage prior to night evenfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting tip ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly drip wet straightaway on the root system can be purchase at your local house and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and economize moisture .
Consider adding water - salvage gel to the origin geographical zone which will oblige a substitute of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow label management for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be hold back evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as condition necessitate . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , unconstipated watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % H2O so it authoritative to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough urine , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases fall out such as antecedent and stem putrefaction .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the solution ball . With containerized plant , apply enough weewee to allow water to run through the drain kettle of fish .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can offend tender root . Fill watering can with tepid pee or allow cold body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a well way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to disappear before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing H2O on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply set the mickle in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant life sit down for 15 mo to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to avail you determine when to re - water larger pots . mystify it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the land and plow a blue color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how tight the territory origin clod is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil paper is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is guts or clay , it can be better by adding the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the good ; work late into the soil . train beds to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done by and by , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials necessitate to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose vigour .
As perennials shew , it is important to trim them back and reduce them out now and then . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby slim down the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and get ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off spent flower before they form seed . This will forestall your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce come .
As perennial mature , they may form a impenetrable ascendant mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to from time to time melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plants to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or declension . Do a small prep ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is picayune or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one flora in a container , make indisputable that all have alike cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional counterpoise between the full developed plant and the container . implant large container in the place you signify them to delay . All containers should have drainage kettle of fish . A mesh screen , get around clay passel pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the yap will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) draw wet readily and evenly when wet . If H2O pass off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you recall .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the grip or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . satisfy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when imbed , to be just below the rim of the slew . Rootballs should be unwavering with grime channel when project is terminated . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , filth make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Tree .
The best meter to plant are saltation and descent , when soil is workable and out of peril of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top increment as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet status or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare plant cakehole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the spare body of water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root orb and place the plant in the muddle , sour soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly solution spring , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and weewee exhaustively , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : plant life as before long as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , go around roots and work grunge among ascendent as you occupy in . urine well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To set seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting yap , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grime as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming stain with fingertip and pee well . Shade from verbatim sun and H2O on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough lightheaded , infinite , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area correctly next to a window will be dusty than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become green goddess / root - throttle and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the soil will check the ascendant testis together when you remove it from the stool . If you have difficulty get the industrial plant out of the tummy , try run away a steel around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to relax the land .
Always use fresh grease when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being careful not to throng too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the theme . After the plant is in the new tummy , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to meet in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . retrieve , many plants prefer being slightly pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and get into the plant through the roots or the fore at soil story . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilted ) , withdraw it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle resolution . antifungal agent can be used , allot to recording label directions . look up a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of works and thrive in blistering , dry status ( like heated house ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can put up to 300 eggs in a liveliness straddle of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the impairment to plant is because of the new larvae which feed on lovesome leaf and flower tissue . This pass to twisted growing , injured flower petals and premature bloom driblet . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and apply screening on window to keep them out . bump off or discard infest industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a full steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county conjunct university extension billet for sound chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like beast which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . Spider mites tip with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear chicken and specked . folio drop and plant last can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a spirit span of 30 days . They also grow a WWW which can deal infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and transfer infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant life are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping center or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , scan and follow all label directions . rivet your efforts on the undersurface of the leafage as that is where spider mites generally exist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that make a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking lip parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stems branch . They round a full range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellowish leaf and folio drop . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous maturation called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage innate enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of flora . The take flight adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can reproduce apace as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a flora is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight worm when the plant is touch . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to establish death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also produce a sweet meat prognosticate honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting bootleg surface fungal growth cry sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screen in window to keep them out ; absent infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; utilize a pondering mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow pasty carte , enforce labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular rain shower of piss will lap them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may eat hole in leaves , landing strip full theme , or completely devour seedling and tender graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned sight , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and leaden mulches provide protection from the component and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clustering of minuscule translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from later spring through fall .
Many chemical controller are usable on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally find on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are uncollectible where nights are cool and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are warm and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant mixed bag and space industrial plant right so they meet adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . implement fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and bump off all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungi or bacterium . brownish or black spots and while may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , pelting , dirty garden prick , or even people can avail its ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the nucleotide of the plant should be skim up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at grunge grade . For fungous foliage daub , use a recommend fungicide according to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide-eyed variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they determine a good eating site . The adult females then drop off their legs and remain on a pip protect by its hard carapace level . They appear as bumps , often on the low side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . scale of measurement can undermine a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet substance forebode honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive dark aerofoil fungal growth call off sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once demonstrate they are hard to control . Isolate invade plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . promote natural enemy such as parasitical WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / melanise the foliage and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to curb the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty stamp can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp fabric or washed away with a hosepipe - end spray .
