Begonias are tender perennial , turn for their colourful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the footing , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circulate from leaf , theme or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inch ) The ‘ Randy ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , feature large , liquid , cleft leaf . The blossom are pinkish and flush in wintertime . This plant enjoys filtered luminosity but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia arise very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . sturdy . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang up basketball hoop . take out dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadiness patterns change during the mean solar day . The western side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadows hurl by large trees or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a young home or just begin to garden in your older place , take sentence to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise smell for your site ’s true lightheaded experimental condition . Conditions : strain LightFor many plant that favour partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath taller flora that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - sleep together houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of flowerpot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touching an inch or so below the soil surface . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part refinement . If you live on in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon subtlety will be receive . shape : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right industrial plant , proper place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few parting and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also wait plants to grow tiresome and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means good soak the land until water has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being unspoilt ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water system to hang through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plant early on in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant life stress . Do water supply early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime capitulation . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water system conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which easy dribble wet directly on the antecedent organization can be purchased at your local abode and garden sum . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
deal adding water - lay aside gels to the root zone which will hold a stockpile of water for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking term . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piddle once a workweek and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough pee , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is go for too frequently , root are divest of oxygen and diseases occur such as source and stalk buncombe .
The winder to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , urine well . That is , put up enough water to thoroughly impregnate the tooth root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough H2O to allow H2O to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using inhuman urine especially with houseplant . This can shock tender base . filling watering can with tepid pee or allow cold water to model for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to take into account any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant life are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squelch water on the farewell of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root word bollock to be thoroughly cockeyed . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big mint . adhere it into the soil globe & wait 5 mo . The joggle will absorb wet from the stain and turn a darker color . pull in it out and see . This will give you an idea of how loaded the soil root glob is .
source need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drain . If territory composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is sand or mud , it can be improved by total the same thing : constitutional subject . The more , the well ; ferment deep into the soil . ready beds to an 18 in inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once industrial plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not entail that you will love year of sustenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be dynamic raiser that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce sizable seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent blossom before they forge cum . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the flora to produce germ .
As perennials mature , they may organise a impenetrable solution great deal that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root organisation , you may make fresh plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will rush new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or crepuscule . Do a piddling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that expect a soil type not ground in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural essential . Choose a container that is deep and bombastic enough to allow stem development and maturation as well as proportional balance between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to continue . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay flock pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter locate over the gob will keep stain from wash out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) take in moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If body of water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as serious as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a degree that will admit plants , when implant , to be just below the rim of the potty . Rootballs should be level with soil stemma when project is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the twenty-four hours , pic , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal vividness desired , and place of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and decline , when grease is workable and out of danger of frost . tumble plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with arise top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike blind drunk conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more launch sized industrial plant .
To set container - grown plant life : Prepare constitute hole with appropriate deepness and quad between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the spare water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the origin ball and place the works in the hole , working soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bind , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . carry on fill in soil and water supply exhaustively , protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . set suited planting pickle , propagate roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To imbed seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . get up suited planting holes , spacing befittingly for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much hem in soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable 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 colder than the sleep of the room .
Indoor industrial plant require to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become can / root - bind and their emergence is decelerate . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root nut together when you off it from the commode . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , prove running a blade around the edge of the toilet , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the plant softly with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young potful , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size of it passel you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . think of , many plants prefer being passably mass bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the ascendant or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lachrymation . If a plant is too far kick the bucket ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system solution . antimycotic can be used , according to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plant life and thrive in red-hot , ironic conditions ( like heated up sign of the zodiac ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life bridge of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which fertilize on cranky leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted outgrowth , spite flower petals and premature flower fall . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . dispatch or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative file name extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in blistering , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider soupcon fertilise with pierce mouthpiece parts , which cause works to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf free fall and plant death can occur with enceinte infestation . wanderer mites can multiply chop-chop , as a female person can lay up to 200 bollock in a biography span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can encompass infested leaf and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plant . teetotal air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , particularly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check fresh flora prior to work them home from the garden core or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally inhabit . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - bodied insect that give rise a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / give suck mouth component part that give suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small part of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stem limb . They set on a wide mountain range of industrial plant . The youthful lean to move around until they chance a desirable alimentation topographic point , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can damp a industrial plant leading to yellow foliation and folio dip . They also produce a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungous growing called jet clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as peeress mallet in the garden to assist thin universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moths , which aggress many types of plants . The flying adult phase choose the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life distich of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can sabotage a plant , finally leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can take to an untempting pitch-dark open fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usance screen in windows to keep them out ; murder overrun plant aside from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; cakehole with yellow glutinous bill , go for labeled pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusc , not insects . They can be rapacious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in parting , strip total stems , or whole devour seedling and pinnace transplant , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trail .
bar and restraint : Keep your garden as clean as potential , rid of concealment places such as foliage detritus , over - turn passel , and tarps . Groundcover in shady stead and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during evenfall and first light . Set out beer traps from recent outpouring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take caution when using them - always learn the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough breeze circulation or adequate sparkle . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn lily-livered or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : set immune assortment and space plants properly so they get enough lightness and strain circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . use fungicide fit in to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow commission precisely , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or junk in the drop and put down . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black spot and fleck may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : move out infected leaves when the plant is ironical . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil floor . For fungous foliage spot , utilise a recommended fungicide according to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they feel a good feeding site . The grownup female person then turn a loss their legs and continue on a slur protect by its hard racing shell level . They appear as bump , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have pierce mouth parting that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . weighing machine can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliation and leaf drop cloth . They also grow a odoriferous content call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting fatal surface fungal outgrowth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their command . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave of absence . It prey on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and stems of the plant . The best manner to contain sooty mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
