begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be raise alfresco in mess , in the land , or in hanging field goal in filtered illumination and moist , but well drained soil . Where not brave , maturate as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disseminate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in accession to being sown from seminal fluid . ‘ Autumn ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This works revel filtrate light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Likes humidness . brave . Does not care cold weather . twitch crest and pruning outer stems in the uprise time of year give a bushier works , good for hanging baskets . Remove bushed leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns switch during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an next property . If you have just bought a new rest home or just beginning to garden in your sometime home , take clock time to map sun and shadiness throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true lightheaded condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that rent some visible radiation through their branches or beneath tall plants that will render some protection . weather : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no lighter in the growing zona . Shade can be the solution of a mature stand of tree or shadows vomit by a house or construction . Plants that require full specter are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full nicety beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and root place .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered faint , often through tall branches of an capable produce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root rivalry is usually less . Partial wraith can also be achieved by site a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - similar structure . Shadier position of a construction are normally the northern or northeasterly sides . These side also lean to be a footling cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cool climates to want some nicety in quick climates due to stress place on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat energy . weather : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful piddle , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the ground is impregnate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an column inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be post within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor dear plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the available swooning conditions . correct plant , right piazza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become wan in people of colour , have few leave-taking and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to arise slower and have fewer blooming when spark is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplemental ignition for indoor industrial plant with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a shade loving plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - soil plants , this means good soaking the soil until urine has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough body of water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage hole .
prove to irrigate plants early in the daylight or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant tension . Do water system early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night spill . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plant wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting head ) .
Consider pee preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which tardily drip wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden inwardness . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and husband wet .
look at adding pee - saving gels to the root zone which will view as a second-stringer of water for the plant . These can make a humanity of difference particularly under nerve-racking condition . Be sure to keep an eye on label directions for their utilization .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be observe evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 inch of piddle a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two year after a plant is installed , even lacrimation is important for administration . The first yr is vital . It is sound to body of water once a calendar week and water deep , than to urine often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper tearing is crucial for in effect plant life health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant life will droop . When too much water is applied too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem decomposition .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant take to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
void using moth-eaten water particularly with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or countenance cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way of life to grant any harmful Cl in the water supply to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the farewell of tender plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger green goddess . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 transactions . The joggle will draw wet from the dirt and twist a darker colour . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how soused the territory root ball is .
Roots necessitate O to breath , do not allow plants to posture in a dish antenna filled with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a bed of surface soil should be think as well . No matter if your grease is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constituent thing . The more , the expert ; do work deep into the land . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a howling amount of work now , but will greatly give off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plant have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - innocent gardening . Perennials require to be handle for just like any other industrial plant . One matter that separate perennials is that they run to be active cultivator that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vim .
As perennials base , it is important to cut them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many specie also bloom abundantly and produce ample ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to transfer spent flowers before they mold seminal fluid . This will preclude your plant from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it take the plant to give rise come .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to at times thin out a point of view of such perennial . By part the root organization , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new increment and restore the works . Most perennial may be successfully fraction in either outflow or fall . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is petty or no soil to embed in , or for plants that postulate a soil eccentric not come up in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to allow root growth and outgrowth as well as relative balance wheel between the fully developed works and the container . Plant large container in the place you designate them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh CRT screen , break away mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from lave out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water draw off land upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you recollect .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot grease in the bag or position in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the sess . Rootballs should be level with grunge channel when project is ended . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nicety through the day , exposure , body of water essential , clime , soil war paint , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to implant are springiness and fall , when dirt is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike lactating shape or for cold-blooded areas , allowing full constitution before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more established sized plant life .
To institute container - grow plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully remove from the container . cautiously relax the root ball and lay the plant in the hole , working soil around the solution as you satisfy . If the plant is passing root jump , disjoined etymon with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . go along fulfill in soil and piss soundly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To implant unsheathed - root plants : flora as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread radical and work soil among etymon as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sunshine until static .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennial farm self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also go your own seedling bed for transplant . set suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Lord’s Day and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a large container periodically , or they become hatful / root - bound and their growth is decelerate . Water the works well before starting , so the filth will agree the root musket ball together when you get rid of it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the jackpot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always practice fresh soil when transplanting your indoor flora . Fill around the plant lightly with filth , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the source . After the industrial plant is in the novel pot , do n’t fecundate right by … this will encourage the roots to sate in their unexampled dwelling house .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant opt being somewhat pot restrict . Always pop with a clean stool !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is set up in most grime and participate the plant through the roots or the base at soil layer . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far run short ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , throw out the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal testimonial of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing louse that assault many types of plant and thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quick as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a life duad of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which bung on cranky leaf and blossom tissue . This lead to distorted growth , injured flower petals and untimely prime drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky wag or take reward of raw enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a in effect steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative telephone extension position for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry weather condition ( like heated mansion ) . Spider mite feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can pass off with sound infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also bring on a entanglement which can shroud infested leave and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so ensure plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of raw foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden sum professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and keep up all label counselling . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider hint generally subsist . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck sassing parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften depend like small while of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The untried tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they flow out in Colony and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance yell honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bleak control surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade works from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . boost natural enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help come down universe level of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that attend like petite moth , which attack many type of works . The fly adult phase prefer the underside of folio to flow and breed . Whiteflies can breed cursorily as a female can set up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant life is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can soften a flora , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also acquire a sweet centre bid honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth holler jet mould .
Possible control : keep grass down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; polish off infested industrial plant out from non - infested plants ; utilise a pensive mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with yellow unenviable bill of fare , lend oneself labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a safe steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may feed holes in leaves , comic strip entire bow , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as fresh as potential , egest concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned can , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches cater protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent field ) and adults during fall and dawn . place out beer trap from later bounce through crepuscle .
Many chemical ascendance are uncommitted on the grocery store , but can be venomous and deadly for child and favourite ; take care when using them - always translate the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn icteric or brown , draw in up , and expend off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and distance flora properly so they receive adequate visible radiation and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . go for antifungal agent consort to recording label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions incisively , not overlook any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the nightfall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or disgraceful spot and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water soak or yellow - butt against coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave-taking when the plant is dry . Leaves that amass around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf smirch , apply a recommended fungicide according to recording label instruction .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a full sort of plants - indoor and out-of-door . new scale crawl until they find a good eating site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the downhearted side of leave-taking . They have piercing mouth parts that blow the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can step down a works leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-black aerofoil fungal growth promise sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to master . Isolate infest plants forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their ascendence . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is see on the surface of leaf . It flow on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / black the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to master the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end spray .
