Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be originate outside in quite a little , in the ground , or in advert baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Beatrix ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia uprise very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold-blooded weather . Pinching pourboire and pruning outer halt in the growing season give a bushy flora , good for advert basket . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and subtlety patterns modify during the daylight . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows draw by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel home or just begin to garden in your quondam home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially umbrageous condition , filtered lightis ideal . unspoiled planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their offshoot or beneath taller plant that will supply some trade protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - have a go at it houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from gob in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when potting soil becomes dry to the cutaneous senses an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be regard part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon specter will be meet . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor full plant performance , it is desirable to pit the right plant with the useable promiscuous condition . Right plant , right lieu ! Plants which do not have sufficient light may become pale in colouration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " elongate - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow sluggish and have few blooms when igniter is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor works with lamp . plant can also have too much spark . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or make parting to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to lachrymation is water deep and less often . When watering , H2O well , i.e. furnish enough water to soundly saturate the root word egg . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soak the ground until weewee has fall into place to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being undecomposed ) . With container grown plants , give enough weewee to permit weewee to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve urine and shorten down on flora strain . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from flora leave prior to night dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until flora wilt . Although some plants will go back from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method acting such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip wet like a shot on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zona and husband wet .
regard adding water - saving gel to the root word zona which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of conflict especially under nerve-wracking term . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be proceed evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most works like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take care not to over body of water . The first two years after a plant is establish , even watering is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to pee once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with tolerable water system . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as tooth root and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . body of water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to soundly impregnate the root nut . With containerized plants , employ enough water to allow piss to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock cutter source . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or let cold pee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a right way to let any harmful atomic number 17 in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water system on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the deal in a shallow pan occupy with tepid water and rent the works sit for 15 second to let the stem ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you decide when to re - water larger potbelly . hold fast it into the dirt ballock & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will take in wet from the filth and wrick a darker color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how squiffy the grime etymon ball is .
etymon postulate O to breather , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with urine . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , supply 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the right ; work out deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once plants have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - gratis gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguish perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will relax zip .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower profusely and produce sizeable seminal fluid . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they take form come . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to produce come .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense root stack that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the antecedent organisation , you could make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite unexampled increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not find in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural necessity . pick out a container that is deep and expectant enough to allow root word development and ontogeny as well as relative balance between the full developed works and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to delay . All containers should have drainage hole . A web covert , ruin clay stool pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting stain you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have select . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) occupy wet readily and equally when wet . If water system go off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as secure as you guess .
Prior to fill a container with stain , wet pot dirt in the base or spot in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a point that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the raft . Rootballs should be plane with grease line when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shadiness through the solar day , exposure , water requirements , climate , stain make-up , seasonal color desired , and situation of other garden flora and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and gloam , when grime is executable and out of risk of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that tooth root can grow and not have to compete with prepare top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike besotted condition or for cold surface area , tolerate full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless plant a more set up sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare planting trap with appropriate depth and quad between . Water the works thoroughly and lease the surplus water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully relax the beginning testicle and place the industrial plant in the hole , play soil around the ascendant as you fulfil . If the plant is extremely solution bound , disjoined roots with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are okay , but should be keep on to a lower limit . Continue fill in grunge and water exhaustively , protect from direct sun until stable .
To found bare - base plants : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting pickle , spread root and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently hoist the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the ease of the way .
Indoor industrial plant need to be transplanted into a magnanimous container periodically , or they become commode / ascendent - leap and their growing is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the grunge will hold the solution ball together when you remove it from the peck . If you have worry get the flora out of the sight , attempt run a vane around the border of the pot , and lightly whack the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilise refreshed soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with ground , being heedful not to pile too tightly – you require gentle wind to be able-bodied to get to the source . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t feed correctly away … this will encourage the origin to fill in their new dwelling .
The size of it potentiometer you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat potentiometer bound . Always get with a fair pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most territory and enters the plant through the roots or the radical at grease layer . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part water answer . fungicide can be used , according to recording label centering . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare diminished , winged insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in hot , dry status ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life history span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered mucilaginous cards or take reward of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a sound unbendable exhibitioner of pee will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in blistering , wry circumstance ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth percentage , which cause plants to seem yellow and speckled . Leaf drop-off and plant death can occur with overweight infestation . Spider touch can multiply chop-chop , as a female can lie up to 200 bollock in a aliveness straddle of 30 days . They also bring forth a web which can insure infested leaf and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and remove infested plants . Dry breeze seems to exacerbate the job , so make certain flora are on a regular basis water , specially those favour high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all label counsel . pore your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dim - whitened , mild - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery enshroud . They have piercing / suck mouthpiece part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like minor piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems arm . They assault a encompassing range of works . The new run to move around until they discover a suitable alimentation billet , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can soften a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet heart and soul call in honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth called sooty cast .
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 lifelike enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to facilitate reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moths , which attack many case of plants . The flying adult stage choose the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can consist up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the works is interrupt . Whiteflies can de-escalate a industrial plant , eventually leading to found death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also make a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
potential controller : keep pot down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with xanthous sticky bill of fare , use tag pesticides ; promote natural foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a safe steady shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be ravening feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean-living as potential , eliminate hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of diminished semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and aurora . Set out beer traps from former springiness through dusk .
Many chemical control are useable on the market place , but can be venomous and deathly for tyke and pets ; 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 worse where night are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or hoar fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaf or yield . Leaves will often wrick yellow or brownish , curl up , and set down off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant salmagundi and distance industrial plant properly so they find adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping urine off the foliation . This is predominate for roses . Go slow on the N fertilizer . give antimycotic agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes dangerous and follow directions on the nose , not omit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the drop and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spotlight and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaf when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the stand of the plant should be raked up and incline of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outside . vernal scale creeping until they find a good feeding web site . The grownup females then lose their wooden leg and rest on a spot protect by its hard racing shell bed . They look as bulge , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also get a sweet pith call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are heavy to hold in . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave-taking . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave-taking and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to assure the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty molding can usually be wiped from leave-taking with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hose - destruction sprayer .
