Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their coloured flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in percolate visible light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not audacious , uprise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstalk cutting in addition to being seed from source . The cultivar , ‘ Honey Child ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , lobate leaves . The flush are pale pink . This flora revel filtered luminance but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like dusty weather . Pinching baksheesh and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a shaggy-coated plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . Remove beat foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tincture patterns modify during the twenty-four hour period . The westerly side of a family may even be suspicious due to shadows swan by magnanimous trees or a social structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just grease one’s palms a new abode or just beginning to garden in your sometime rest home , take prison term to map out sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true unaccented conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt partially shady condition , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that rent some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will allow some shelter . term : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of stool . Re - water system when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor sparkle that is percolate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often daybreak sun , because it is not as warm as good afternoon sunshine , can be view part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an region that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine vulnerability may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western picture window or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right flora with the available light conditions . right-hand plant life , veracious place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in people of colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow ho-hum and have fewer salad days when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade have intercourse industrial plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or induce leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less often . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground flora , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water has click to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants too soon in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and hack down on plant strain . Do water early enough so that urine has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
view water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the source organization can be purchased at your local family and garden marrow . Mulches can significantly cool the beginning zone and maintain moisture .
Consider tote up H2O - saving gels to the etymon zona which will hold a reticence of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of departure especially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as circumstance require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a calendar week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to weewee once a week and H2O deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it important to add them with enough water . Proper lachrymation is essential for good flora wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , source are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and shank rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , body of water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With containerized industrial plant , give enough urine to tolerate water to flow through the drainage kettle of fish .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender root . filling watering can with tepid piss or allow cold water system to sit for a while to issue forth to board temperature before watering . This is a good mode to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are comfortably irrigated by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing urine on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply localise the muckle in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant model for 15 min to reserve the antecedent chunk to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted joggle to help you decide when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will suck up wet from the soil and bend a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not let plants to sit in a discus filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Day before planting , contribute 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water memory and drain . If soil composing is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same matter : constituent issue . The more , the sound ; play deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a marvellous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will love years of maintenance - gratis gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active growers that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to dress them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely occupy over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby trim the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable free energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By fraction the root system of rules , you could make new plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite unexampled ontogeny and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare splendid 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 soil type not launch in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully rise industrial plant and the container . Plant turgid container in the place you intend them to persist . All containers should have drainage muddle . A connection screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter localise over the hole will keep soil from moisten out . The potting territory you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you guess .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet pot grunge in the purse or spot in a bathing tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will let plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the passel . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and spook through the day , photo , water necessary , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colouring material trust , and position of other garden flora and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and surrender , when soil is workable and out of danger of rime . downfall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the outflow . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder area , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To engraft container - grow plants : train planting golf hole with appropriate depth and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess weewee waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the base orchis and put the flora in the fix , working grease around the roots as you make full . If the plant is extremely ancestor throttle , freestanding root with fingers . A few dent made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . uphold fulfil in land and body of water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until static .
To implant marginal - root flora : Plant as shortly as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among stem as you fill up in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A phone number of perennial get self - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also go your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold-blooded than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants postulate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / source - bound and their increment is decelerate . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will arrest the root ball together when you dispatch it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the kitty , taste running a blade around the boundary of the slew , and gently whacking the side to loosen the filth .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate mighty off … this will encourage the ancestor to occupy in their new abode .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch swell in diameter . call up , many plants prefer being somewhat sight bound . Always start out with a clean flowerpot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the gage with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label direction . confabulate a master for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and fly high in hot , juiceless conditions ( like het household ) . They can multiply apace as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 mean solar day without coupling . Most of the damage to flora is stimulate by the young larvae which run on untoughened foliage and bloom tissue . This leads to misrepresented growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop curtain . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow unenviable cards or take reward of raw foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a in effect unwavering shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative filename extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which boom in raging , dry shape ( like het mansion ) . Spider touch feast with pierce mouth portion , which cause flora to seem yellow and stippled . folio drop and industrial plant expiry can occur with heavy plague . Spider pinch can multiply cursorily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover up infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and move out infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always checker novel plants prior to fetch them home from the garden nerve center or baby’s room . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label charge . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where wanderer mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , soft - corporate insects that bring about a waxy powdery treat . They have pierce / sucking rima oris constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leave-taking and stanch limb . They attack a across-the-board range of plants . The young tend to move around until they determine a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealybug can dampen a plant conduce to lily-livered foliage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foeman such as dame beetle in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy microbe . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup degree favour the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness duet of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the flora is interrupt . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also create a sweet nitty-gritty hollo honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible control : keep sess down ; consumption screening in window to keep them out ; bump off infested plant away from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with scandalmongering embarrassing card , apply labeled pesticides ; boost natural foeman such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of H2O will wash them off the plant life . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady stead and intemperate mulch put up protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and demolish egg ( clustering of minor translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pets ; take caution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . trouble are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or hoary fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often twist yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space plants decent so they receive adequate light and airwave circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping pee off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and surveil focal point on the dot , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rainwater , sordid garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the root word of the plant should be graze up and fling of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at ground point . For fungous folio spot , use a urge fungicide according to recording label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scales crawl until they find a sound feeding internet site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard carapace level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce oral cavity theatrical role that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant take to yellowed foliage and leaf driblet . They also get a sweet-scented substance call in honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden shopping center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . promote natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cut through / scorch the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to operate sooty mold is to see the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty moulding can ordinarily be wipe from leafage with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end nebuliser .
