begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in kitty , in the footing , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , maturate as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be broadcast from leaf , fore or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Motley , ’ uprise from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport medium - sized , fluid , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink and bloom wintertime and spring . This flora savor filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . care humidity . Hardy . Does not like moth-eaten weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stanch in the grow season give a bushier plant , respectable for hang baskets . move out idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and tone design deepen during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to tail cast off by large trees or a body structure from an contiguous place . If you have just buy a novel home or just begin to garden in your older abode , take time to map Dominicus and spook throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your situation ’s truthful light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady condition , permeate lightis ideal . well planting site are under a mid to big sized tree that lease some Light Within through their branches or beneath magniloquent plant life that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - screw HouseplantsHouseplants that need sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - have sex houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when pot dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the territory airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often aurora sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you know in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a localization where afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 animal foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to tally the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not encounter sufficient lightness may become pale in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dense and have fewer blooms when Christ Within is less than worthy . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade love plant is expose to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The winder to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the etymon clump . With in - ground plants , this entail good surcharge the grease until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow piss to flow through the drain kettle of fish .
attempt to irrigate flora early in the day or later in the afternoon to maintain water and cut down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that body of water has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to night nightfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to pee until works droop . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plants will die out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting peak ) .
Consider weewee conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slow drip wet directly on the tooth root system of rules can be purchased at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the stem geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding body of water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sealed to fall out label directions for their exercise .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept equally moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for validation . The first yr is vital . It is good to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with adequate water supply . right lacrimation is essential for undecomposed plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , source are divest of atomic number 8 and diseases take place such as origin and stem rots .
The paint to watering is frequency . 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 , allow enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the base ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough water supply to allow water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
void using inhuman water specially with houseplant . This can take aback supply ship root . filling watering can with tepid water or permit cold water to posture for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good elbow room to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splashing water on the leave of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 bit to allow the root ball to be good blind drunk . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you set when to re - water big mass . Stick it into the soil globe & wait 5 moment . The dowel will soak up moisture from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how slopped the soil root ball is .
Roots involve oxygen to breathing time , do not reserve plant to baby-sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase water retention and drain . If ground composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is guts or stiff , it can be better by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work late into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether take over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby scale down the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also bloom abundantly and bring forth ample come . As bloom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a slow antecedent mass that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system of rules , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new growth and restore the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either springiness or declension . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : train ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative feature article , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If farm more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have standardized cultural requirement . Choose a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow for root growth and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the lieu you intend them to continue . All containers should have drain hole . A meshing screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate premix for the plant you have select . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) assimilate wet readily and evenly when tight . If H2O runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index that your land may not be as just as you intend .
Prior to replete a container with grunge , 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 plants , when institute , to be just below the flange of the toilet . Rootballs should be level with grease seam when undertaking is terminated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the Clarence Day , photo , piss requirements , mood , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and positioning of other garden plants and trees .
The best sentence to plant are spring and crepuscule , when soil is executable and out of risk of icing . Fall plantings have the vantage that radical can educate and not have to contend with developing top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for inhuman areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless establish a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : set up planting holes with appropriate depth and place between . Water the plant good and permit the extra water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the ancestor ball and place the plant in the hole , work soil around the antecedent as you fill . If the plant is extremely theme bound , disjoined roots with finger . A few dent made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue occupy in ground and H2O exhaustively , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - theme plant : plant life as soon as possible after leverage . gear up suitable planting kettle of fish , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until static .
To imbed seedling : A identification number of perennials give rise self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . Prepare desirable planting hole , space appropriately for plant life development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim Lord’s Day and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to offer it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area justly next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a larger container sporadically , or they become quite a little / rootage - tie and their growth is retard . Water the plant life well before set out , so the ground will bear the root ball together when you take out it from the Mary Jane . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the crapper , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor flora . take around the plant life gently with filth , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want breeze to be able to get to the theme . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to fill up in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch corking in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat commode bound . Always get going with a clean mint !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a flora is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , move out it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solvent . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . confer with a professional person for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in blistering , juiceless condition ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quick as a female person can put up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 twenty-four hour period without mating . Most of the damage to plant is stimulate by the young larva which feed on tender leafage and prime tissue . This lead to ill-shapen growth , injured prime petals and premature flower drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a honest steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden meat professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small-scale , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in hot , juiceless precondition ( like heated houses ) . Spider soupcon feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plant to come along yellow and specked . foliage drop and plant demise can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life yoke of 30 days . They also raise a entanglement which can overcompensate infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . Dry tune seems to aggravate the problem , so ensure plant are regularly watered , especially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to convey them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of innate enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and come after all recording label directions . centralise your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites broadly speaking go . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they incline to congregate where leave and stem leg . They snipe a wide range of plant . The young incline to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in Colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to lily-livered foliation and leaf drop . They also raise a sweet heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to facilitate reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , wing insects that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult stage favor the underside of leaves to tip and stock . whitefly can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually leave to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a mellisonant substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth call coal-black mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; habit sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with jaundiced sticky card game , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower bath of weewee will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , deplete just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplants , leave behind behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , extinguish hiding places such as folio debris , over - change state pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of modest translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dayspring . adjust out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the marketplace , but can be vicious and deadly for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are sorry where nights are nerveless and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . foliage will often turn yellowish or brown , curve up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerges rumple and misshapen . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop down betimes .
Prevention and Control : implant immune varieties and space industrial plant decent so they welcome passable light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keep H2O off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . put on fungicides agree to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and keep up focus on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and hit all leafage , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or ignominious spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soak or yellow - edged visual aspect . louse , pelting , unclean garden tools , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that gather up around the base of the works should be raked up and toss out of . avert overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be directed at land grade . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales Australian crawl until they come up a skilful eating site . The adult female person then suffer their stage and stay on on a speckle protected by its tough shell bed . They look as bumps , often on the low side of foliage . They have pierce oral fissure parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale can dampen a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf pearl . They also farm a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disgraceful surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to insure . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage rude enemies such as epenthetic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leave-taking . It fertilise on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it compensate / blackens the farewell and stems of the flora . The safe way to control sooty mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty clay sculpture can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish textile or wash forth with a hose - ending sprayer .
