Begonias are crank perennials , farm for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in slew , in the solid ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be spread from folio , stem or rootstock cutting in gain to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave less than 4 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Rutherfordiana ’ has attractive foliage with small , unembellished leaves . The many everblooming flush are pink to white . Stemming is vertical and zig - zag between the node . This plant love filtered luminance but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia spring up very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tip and pruning prohibited stems in the growing season give way a shaggy plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change cause leaves to drop .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shadowiness blueprint exchange during the mean solar day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to represent sunshine and spectre throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true weak conditions . consideration : filter LightFor many plant that prefer partly shadowed weather condition , sink in lightis nonsuch . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their offset or beneath taller plants that will ply some protection . condition : wet - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of toilet . Re - urine when potting grunge becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is sink in . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sunshine or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon subtlety will be take in . consideration : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be send within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to agree the right flora with the available light conditions . Right plant life , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also require plants to grow dull and have fewer prime when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . works can also receive too much lighter . If a refinement loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to watering is piss deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - footing plants , this have in mind thoroughly douse the dirt until water has come home to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough weewee to countenance water to flow through the drainage pickle .
examine to water plant betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on works stress . Do water supply ahead of time enough so that urine has had a fortune to dry out from plant folio prior to nighttime decline . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould arrangement which tardily dribble moisture straight on the ascendent system of rules can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root word zone and conserve wet .
Consider bestow water - bring through gel to the root zone which will arrest a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to take after label directions for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as experimental condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the arise season , but take forethought not to over urine . The first two year after a plant is set up , regular lacrimation is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a week and body of water deeply , than to water frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate body of water . Proper lacrimation is essential for sound flora health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases come such as theme and stem turn rot .
The paint to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered accord to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root orchis . With containerized works , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
forefend using cold water especially with houseplants . This can scandalize tender root word . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good fashion to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by submarine - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of sensible flora . Simply station the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the flora baby-sit for 15 second to allow the source formal to be thoroughly loaded . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water prominent pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 second . The dowel will soak up wet from the soil and twist a darker color . draw it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the stain root clump is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plant life to sit in a dish filled with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , tot 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to better fertility and increase water memory and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; forge deeply into the filth . educate bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of upkeep - gratis gardening . Perennials take to be like for just like any other plant life . One affair that spot perennials is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby thin the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce plenteous ejaculate . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take out spent flowers before they constitute ejaculate . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable muscularity it take the plant to create seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By fraction the root system , you could make Modern flora to embed in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will brace new growth and restore the flora . Most perennial may be successfully split up in either springiness or gloam . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is slight or no soil to implant in , or for flora that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If spring up more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requisite . prefer a container that is deep and great enough to allow solution development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant declamatory container in the office you mean them to persist . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh CRT screen , break clay hatful pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep soil from wash out . The potting dirt you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when smashed . If water runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot territory in the bag or place in a tubful or garden cart so that it is equally moist . meet container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the weed . Rootballs should be flat with grunge line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the day , vulnerability , water requisite , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The in effect time to constitute are springiness and fall , when soil is feasible and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that etymon can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike blotto conditions or for colder field , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more established sized works .
To implant container - grown plant : train planting holes with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and permit the excess water drainage before cautiously slay from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and station the plant in the hole , operate soil around the roots as you replete . If the industrial plant is extremely beginning bind , freestanding root with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sunshine until stable .
To establish bare - ancestor plants : flora as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting fix , spread roots and mould ground among root as you fill in . pee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A issue of perennials raise self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplantation . devise suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have prefer is suited for the stipulation you are capable to offer it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be frigid than the sleep of the room .
Indoor plants ask to be transplant into a large container sporadically , or they become can / root - bound and their growth is delay . Water the plant well before protrude , so the soil will contain the root ball together when you remove it from the Mary Jane . If you have bother getting the works out of the flowerpot , try bunk a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant softly with grunge , being careful not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the unexampled mickle , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the root to fill up in their young home .
The size of it mess you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot truss . Always begin with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is launch in most soil and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at ground spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the grunge too . dampen the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label directions . Consult a pro for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that lash out many type of plants and boom in blistering , dry consideration ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a lifetime pair of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is get by the untested larva which feed on sore leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to twisted maturation , injured bloom petals and previous flower drop-off . Thrips also can channelize many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with chicken sticky cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension service office for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , wanderer - like animal which boom in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing mouth parts , which get plants to appear yellow and stippled . foliage dip and plant expiry can take place with heavy infestation . Spider soupcon can multiply promptly , as a female person can lay up to 200 nut in a life duad of 30 daylight . They also bring forth a connection which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the job , so ensure plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden essence or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider touch in the main hold out . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery compensate . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They assail a wide range of flora . The young tend to move around until they recover a suitable feeding fleck , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealybug can sabotage a plant life lead to yellowed leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet means call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce universe spirit level of mealy hemipteron . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , wing insect that look like tiny moths , which assault many types of plants . The flying grownup phase prefer the underside of leaves to tip and strain . whitefly can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can counteract a plant life , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also farm a fresh gist phone honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
potential controls : keep pot down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; withdraw infested plant away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow embarrassing cards , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular cascade of water system will wash them off the flora . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may use up hollow in leaves , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding piazza such as leaf debris , over - release corporation , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide security from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of modest translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always understand the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are worse where nights are cool and solar day are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leafage will often plow icteric or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive mixed bag and blank space plant right so they have adequate luminosity and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides accord to label commission before problem becomes severe and take after directions exactly , not omit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the capitulation and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or pitch-black spots and bandage may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , pelting , ill-gotten garden puppet , or even people can aid its spreading .
Prevention and Control : dispatch infect leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be manoeuver at grease layer . For fungal leaf spots , employ a recommended fungicide fit in to recording label charge .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a broad salmagundi of plants - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales creep until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their leg and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as prominence , often on the small sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth component part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora precede to lily-livered foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting opprobrious surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and stems of the plant life . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty stamp can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist material or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
