begonia are tender perennial , uprise for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in string up baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble stain . Where not dauntless , spring up as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be distribute from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in improver to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Her Majesty Sylvia Leatherman ’ , raise from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , non - spiral leave-taking that are often colourize and pattern . This plant life enjoy trickle light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not like stale weather . Pinching tips and pruning taboo stems in the growing season gives a bushier works , good for hanging baskets . Remove idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tad patterns change during the day . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadows cast by orotund Tree or a body structure from an next property . If you have just bought a new home or just commence to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and subtlety throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s true wakeful conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . in effect planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some lighting through their branches or beneath taller flora that will ply some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the land is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot dirt becomes dry to the touch sensation an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is of import to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sunlight or part specter . If you go in an expanse that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other region such as Florida , works in a emplacement where good afternoon shade will be received . weather : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor safe plant performance , it is worthy to equal the correct plant with the available clear conditions . Right plant , right blank space ! Plants which do not encounter sufficient brightness may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " load - out visual aspect . Also require plant to farm slower and have few blooms when luminousness is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a nicety loving flora is unwrap to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the filth until weewee has penetrate to a profoundness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough weewee to allow water to course through the drain fix .
seek to water plants early in the daytime or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do piss ahead of time enough so that pee has had a hazard to dry from works leaves prior to Nox fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all flora will break if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider pee conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drop moisture like a shot on the etymon system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can importantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider bestow water - salvage gels to the root zona which will hold a second-stringer of water for the works . These can make a world of divergence especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to survey label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a week and water deep , than to weewee often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it important to render them with adequate water . right watering is essential for estimable plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water supply is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and disease take place such as source and root rots .
The headstone to lachrymation is frequency . water system well then await long enough until the works needs to be re - watered allot to its wet requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root testis . With containerized plant life , apply enough H2O to give up water to flow through the drainage holes .
stave off using cold water system especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow inhuman piss to sit for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good manner to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plant life . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and permit the plant life sit for 15 mo to allow the root orchis to be thoroughly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to aid you find when to re - water larger sens . Stick it into the stain testicle & hold off 5 arcminute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and wrick a sullen color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil base ball is .
root involve atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a dish antenna filled with piddle . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase pee retentivity and drain . If stain makeup is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or mud , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; act deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that describe perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen vigour .
As perennials instal , it is of import to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely bring over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample cum . As blossom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to move out spent flowers before they work seminal fluid . This will forbid your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it take the works to produce source .
As perennial age , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By disunite the root scheme , you could make new plants to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a filth case not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural necessity . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow root evolution and ontogeny as well as proportional residual between the in full develop plant and the container . Plant big containers in the place you mean them to detain . All containers should have drainage gob . A internet filmdom , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when soaked . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you remember .
Prior to take a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow flora , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by take sun and shade through the day , photograph , urine requirements , climate , grunge makeup , seasonal colour desired , and billet of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The good time to set are spring and pin , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . crepuscle planting have the advantage that roots can prepare and not have to compete with developing top increment as in the bound . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more establish sized plant .
To found container - grow plants : get up planting golf hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and allow the extra water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root word Lucille Ball and put the plant in the hole , working filth around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely root limit , separate roots with finger . A few snatch made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant bare - root word flora : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . train suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials acquire ego - inseminate seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . cook suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much surround ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from unmediated Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant require to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the works well before start , so the grunge will bear the antecedent ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem getting the plant out of the pot , try running a vane around the edge of the potentiometer , and lightly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use sweet soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want gentle wind to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern mickle , do n’t inseminate right away … this will further the tooth root to fulfill in their new home .
The size potty you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch large in diam . think , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get in the works through the roots or the base at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , throw away the grime too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confer with a pro for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testicle in a sprightliness span of 45 Day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the immature larva which feed in on tender leaf and peak tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of lifelike enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a dear steady shower of piddle will wash out them off the flora . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minuscule , 8 legged , spider - corresponding brute which thrive in red-hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce backtalk section , which cause plants to appear yellow and flecked . Leaf drop and plant expiry can hap with heavy infestation . Spider mite can procreate quickly , as a female can lie down up to 200 nut in a living span of 30 days . They also raise a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested plants . Dry melody seems to decline the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or love apple . Always check new plant prior to land them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , learn and follow all label directions . Concentrate your elbow grease on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider touch generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , softened - white , subdued - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery brood . They have piercing / fellate oral fissure contribution that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They attack a full range of plants . The untested be given to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . mealybug can damp a plant life leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also acquire a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous surface fungal growth call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural foeman such as madam mallet in the garden to serve boil down population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that expect like tiny moth , which lash out many character of flora . The flying grownup stage opt the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a liveliness span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight louse when the works is disturbed . whitefly can undermine a plant life , eventually direct to embed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting fateful surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; consumption screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested works ; use a pondering mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with scandalmongering sticky cards , practice label pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a estimable unbendable exhibitioner of water supply will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening affluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may eat up cakehole in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , vile lead .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding position such as leafage junk , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and dense mulches provide protection from the constituent and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . ready out beer traps from later spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally obtain on plants that do not have enough melody circulation or adequate brightness . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually find oneself on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often wrick yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and space industrial plant properly so they obtain adequate light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the N fertilizer . enforce fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water intoxicate or yellow - march show . dirt ball , rainwater , dirty garden instrument , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infected leaves when the plant life is juiceless . leave-taking that collect around the floor of the plant should be skim up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide of the mark variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they come up a good eating website . The adult female then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard eggshell layer . They come out as protrusion , often on the low sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale can weaken a flora lead to sensationalistic leafage and leaf cliff . They also grow a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive smutty surface fungous outgrowth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are toilsome to control . Isolate infested plant life away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaf and stanch of the plant . The best mode to command sooty mildew is to control the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
