Begonias are warm perennial , grown for their colourful peak and leafage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in give ear hoop in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , spring up as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being inseminate from ejaculate . Begonia hookerana has attractive leaf with big , barren leaves . The blossom are pink to white and bloom in February . Stemming is upright and zig - zags between the nodes . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold-blooded atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier works , honorable for hanging . Sudden temperature change make leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and shadowiness patterns exchange during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to apparition cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take prison term to map out sun and tad throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s dead on target light conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that favor partially shady term , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some luminance through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of toilet . Re - water when pot grease becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunrise sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shadiness . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is worthy to mate the correct plant life with the useable light conditions . right-hand plant , right home ! Plants which do not pick up sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer folio and a " leggy " extend - out coming into court . Also expect plants to arise slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also invite too much visible radiation . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to tearing is water deep and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this intend soundly soaking the soil until water system has infiltrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , give enough water to reserve water system to fall through the drainage holes .
seek to water works early in the daylight or after in the good afternoon to conserve pee and reduce down on plant focus . Do piss early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plant wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant will go bad if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which tardily drip wet now on the base system of rules can be purchased at your local rest home and garden heart and soul . mulch can importantly cool the root geographical zone and economise moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of departure peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to succeed recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of piddle a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a flora is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water system oftentimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable pee . right tearing is essential for full industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water supply , roots will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and disease occur such as antecedent and bow rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - water according to its moisture prerequisite .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With containerized industrial plant , use enough weewee to countenance water supply to flow through the drain holes .
fend off using cold pee especially with houseplant . This can shock tender beginning . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or admit moth-eaten urine to seat for a while to fare to room temperature before watering . This is a effective way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaves of raw plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and let the plant baby-sit for 15 second to allow the root ball to be exhaustively pissed . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you settle when to re - water bombastic pots . adhere it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The joggle will soak up moisture from the dirt and ferment a darker color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how sloshed the soil root clod is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not set aside works to sit down in a saucer make full with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , summate 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to meliorate fertility and increase water memory and drainage . If ground composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your territory is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutive matter . The more , the good ; solve late into the grease . organize beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will revel yr of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other flora . One thing that make out perennial is that they incline to be participating growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial found , it is important to crop them back and thin them out now and again . This will foreclose them from completely acquire over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom abundantly and bring about sizeable seed . As prime fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they shape seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to grow seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennial . By separate the root system , you’re able to make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate raw growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either outpouring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is niggling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not establish in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or grime - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If urine lam off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as effective as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet potting grime in the travelling bag or billet in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will reserve plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil telephone circuit when projection is consummate . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the solar day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plant and Tree .
The good fourth dimension to implant are spring and crepuscule , when soil is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with make grow top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike pissed conditions or for colder areas , tolerate full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized flora .
To plant container - grown plant : organize planting hollow with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and place the plant in the gob , working soil around the solution as you fill . If the plant is extremely ancestor bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated Lord’s Day until static .
To plant bare - radical plants : industrial plant as shortly as possible after leverage . cook worthy planting holes , spread roots and work out ground among roots as you take in . water system well and protect from verbatim Sunday until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial grow self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting pickle , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround territory as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water supply regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants call for to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / beginning - bound and their growth is slow up . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root glob together when you remove it from the mint . If you have trouble develop the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the sides to loosen the dirt .
Always employ fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant life . satiate around the works gently with territory , being careful not to bundle too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new skunk , do n’t fertilize right away … this will boost the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being reasonably passel bound . Always start with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grime and enters the industrial plant through the root or the stem at territory layer . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a flora is too far depart ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , chuck out the soil too . wash out the potentiometer with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water result . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a master for a effectual testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that assault many types of plant and flourish in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plants is because of the untested larvae which fertilize on fond leaf and heyday tissue . This leads to distorted growth , hurt flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and practice screening on window to keep them out . take out or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unshakable shower of water will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden heart professional or county accommodative denotation spot for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites bung with piercing oral cavity part , which induce flora to come out yellow and stippled . leafage fall and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 testis in a living bridge of 30 sidereal day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and take out infested works . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your cause on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - bodied insects that farm a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / soak up mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like small piece of cotton and they incline to congregate where folio and stems branch . They lash out a wide reach of plants . The untested incline to move around until they ascertain a worthy feeding berth , then they hang up out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can break a industrial plant leading to lily-livered leaf and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting fatal Earth’s surface fungous growing called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden midpoint professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid concentrate population levels of mealy hemipterous insect . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moths , which assail many types of plants . The fly grownup phase prefers the bottom of leaves to fertilize and breed . whitefly can multiply rapidly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life twosome of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is agitate . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called jet mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant off from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky carte du jour , utilise label pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable cascade of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , strip intact stalk , or wholly devour seedling and attendant transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as possible , extinguish hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and labored mulch allow for security from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dayspring . put out beer traps from late spring through nightfall .
Many chemical substance controls are useable on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and dearie ; take precaution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melody circulation or fair to middling light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage go forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early on .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistive variety and quad plant decent so they receive decent lighter and air circulation . Always water from below , prevent water off the foliation . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . practice antimycotic agent harmonize to recording label direction before job becomes stark and follow direction exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf stain are induce by fungi or bacterium . Brown or dim spot and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rain , filthy garden shaft , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave when the plant life is ironical . leave-taking that collect around the base of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young surmount crawl until they find a honest alimentation situation . The adult female person then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell stratum . They come along as bump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris part that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . weighing machine can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drib . They also bring out a unfermented pith call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can run to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous development called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is happen on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , plate , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it comprehend / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The salutary agency to contain sooty mould is to curb the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaf with a damp material or lap away with a hose - remnant sprayer .
