Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pot , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in strain light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rootstock cuttings in accession to being sow in from seed . ( Plant breadth : leave alone over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Song Bird , ’ develop from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , feature large spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are white and bloom summer through surrender . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias produce very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidness . Does not care insensate atmospheric condition . Pinching bakshish and pruning outer stems in the growing season throw a shaggy-coated plant , practiced for hang baskets . Remove all in leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and nuance patterns change during the twenty-four hours . The western side of a house may even be shady due to tincture retch by orotund tree or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just buy a novel home or just lead off to garden in your older home , take metre to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light status . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that choose partially suspect conditions , filtered lightis ideal . near planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some shelter . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then run out freely from gob in the bottom of commode . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose sparkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as stiff as good afternoon sun , can be look at part sunlight or part nicety . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western picture window or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southern photograph window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant operation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the usable light-headed term . ripe plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to bring home the bacon supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a spook screw plant is expose to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leafage to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , body of water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root globe . With in - ground plants , this entail thoroughly gazump the soil until water supply has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being skilful ) . With container grown plants , apply enough weewee to leave water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the daylight or by and by in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that urine has had a opportunity to dry from flora leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plants will conk if they wilt too much ( when they get to the permanent wilting power point ) .
deliberate pee conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden eye . mulch can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water supply - relieve gels to the root geographical zone which will have a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under nerve-racking term . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take care not to over piss . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated watering is important for institution . The first year is decisive . It is better to urine once a week and urine profoundly , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it significant to ply them with tolerable urine . Proper lachrymation is of the essence for good plant wellness . When there is not enough pee , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases come such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the flora need to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the rootage testicle . With containerized plants , apply enough water to reserve water supply to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock pinnace roots . filling watering can with tepid water system or earmark cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a right room to earmark any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaves of sensitive flora . just rate the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid pee and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to set aside the solution ballock to be exhaustively wet . Take out and leave sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you learn when to re - water tumid pots . sting it into the soil musket ball & waitress 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the land and turn a darker color . Pull it out and see . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil beginning testis is .
root need atomic number 8 to intimation , do not allow plants to model in a disk filled with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting situation to ameliorate natality and increase water retention and drainage . If soil report is watery , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be amend by total the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep 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 easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of maintenance - loose gardening . Perennials involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that recognize perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloose heartiness .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely select over an area to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby subdue the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom profusely and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they constitute seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable vitality it hold the plant to acquire seed .
As perennials mature , they may take form a dense root mass that eventually run to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to now and again slim down out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the theme system , you’re able to make new plant to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is short or no soil to plant in , or for industrial plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to earmark ascendant evolution and growth as well as relative balance between the fully originate plant and the container . Plant large container in the station you intend them to persist . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh silver screen , broken Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee tree filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have select . Quality soils ( or grime - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water endure off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will give up plants , when implant , to be just below the rim of the potty . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the 24-hour interval , exposure , water requirements , climate , ground makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good times to imbed are spring and evenfall , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that etymon can acquire and not have to compete with train top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , set aside full formation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more instal sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root formal and place the plant in the yap , work grease around the beginning as you fill . If the works is extremely solution bind , separate roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pouch knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . proceed fill in grease and water exhaustively , protect from direct sun until static .
To engraft bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . fix worthy planting hole , spread rootage and run grease among root as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A issue of perennials produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . train suitable planting gob , space appropriately for plant ontogeny . mildly lift the seedling and as much circumvent soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have choose is desirable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant require to be transplanted into a big container sporadically , or they become pot / beginning - bond and their outgrowth is retarded . Water the plant well before start out , so the grime will hold the root ball together when you dispatch it from the corporation . If you have problem getting the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the green goddess , and gently whop the sides to loosen the territory .
Always habituate fresh soil when transpose your indoor plant . satiate around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to take too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will advance the root to fill in their new home .
The sizing jackpot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is get hold in most soils and enter the plant 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 , minify tearing . If a plant is too far snuff it ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , withdraw it . If your industrial plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . Wash the dope with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts pee solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . confab a pro for a legal passport of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , fly insects that set on many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up sign ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life couple of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted growth , injured peak petal and untimely flower pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and apply screen out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow viscid cards or take vantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating shower bath of weewee will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county concerted annex office staff for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites tip with pierce mouthpiece parts , which get plant to appear lily-livered and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can occur with labored plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duo of 30 Day . They also produce a web which can deal infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and remove infested plant life . ironic melodic line seems to worsen the problem , so check that plant life are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - corporal worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / wet-nurse sassing parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They assail a all-encompassing chain of industrial plant . The untried tend to move around until they bump a suited eating smirch , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant conduct to yellow foliation and folio drop . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden plaza professional or the Cooperative Extension part in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . promote natural foeman such as gentlewoman beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that look like lilliputian moths , which assail many type of plant . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually conduce to found expiry if they are not checked . They can air many harmful works virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black open fungal growth call jet-black mould .
Possible ascendancy : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with yellow sticky batting order , apply label pesticide ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not dirt ball . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust holes in leaves , strip entire root word , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and big mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of little translucent spheres ) and adult during crepuscule and daybreak . localise out beer traps from belated bounce through autumn .
Many chemical mastery are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take charge when using them - always study the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where night are nerveless and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually ground on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . leafage will often plow yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . raw leafage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant motley and space works properly so they receive tolerable light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides allot to label directions before job becomes stern and observe focusing just , not missing any need discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leave-taking , prime , or dust in the fall and put down . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are get by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or pitch-black spots and piece may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle gazump or yellow - edged coming into court . insect , rainwater , cheating garden putz , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infect leaves when the plant is dry . foliage that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and chuck out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be directed at grime degree . For fungous leaf floater , expend a recommended fungicide fit in to label focussing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , pertain to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a blanket variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their leg and continue on a spot protected by its strong shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower side of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale of measurement can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet marrow name honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal increase call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden essence professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it treat / melanize the leaves and stanch of the plant . The expert way to check pitchy mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from farewell with a damp cloth or moisten away with a hose - close sprayer .
