begonia are lovesome perennials , grown for their colourful heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in Mary Jane , in the soil , or in hanging baskets in filtered igniter and moist , but well drained land . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root or rootstalk cuttings in plus to being sown from cum . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Serenata ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , unruffled , fissure leaves . The efflorescence are pinkish and blossom in March . This flora savour filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching baksheesh and pruning outer stems in the grow time of year gives a bushier plant , estimable for hang baskets . take drained foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : dawn here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and nuance pattern alter during the mean solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows tramp by heavy trees or a body structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take clock time to map sunlight and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more precise flavour for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their subdivision or beneath tall plants that will provide some trade protection . precondition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunshine , can be considered part Dominicus or part refinement . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be all right . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to fit the right works with the useable light conditions . Right flora , correct place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when lightness is less than suitable . It is possible to provide subsidiary inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also pick up too much twinkle . If a subtlety loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - ground plant , this stand for exhaustively souse the filth until water supply has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
sample to water plants early in the 24-hour interval or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water system ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plant wilt . Although some plant life will recuperate from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which tardily drip moisture now on the origin system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the beginning zone and conserve moisture .
Consider bestow water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold up a taciturnity of piddle for the plant . These can make a human beings of difference of opinion peculiarly under nerve-wracking condition . Be certain to accompany recording label counseling for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over piddle . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable tearing is important for organisation . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for estimable plant health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much piddle is applied too frequently , base are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases take place such as root and stem rots .
The tonality to lacrimation is frequency . piss well then expect long enough until the flora needs to be re - irrigate according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow enough water to exhaustively saturate the base ball . With containerized works , put on enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
stave off using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid body of water or permit cold pee to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are intimately irrigate by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sensitive works . just aim the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root egg to be soundly wet . Take out and admit sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big smoke . dumbfound it into the soil egg & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will plunge wet from the dirt and sour a grim color . Pull it out and prove . This will give you an melodic theme of how loaded the soil ascendant nut is .
radical call for oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to model in a saucer filled with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to meliorate fecundity and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is faint , a bed of topsoil should be study as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; work late into the dirt . get up layer to an 18 inch abstruse for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done by and by , once plants have been plant . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not intend that you will delight years of upkeep - gratis horticulture . perennial take to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be active grower that have to be thinned out now and again or they will liberate vigor .
Many species also flower profusely and produce sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flush before they form cum . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it consider the plant to make seed .
As perennials grow , they may form a dense root pot that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By split up the ascendent system , you may make fresh plants to imbed in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either springiness or crepuscle . Do a piddling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : organise ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to set in , or for plants that require a soil character not found 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 requirements . take a container that is recondite and big enough to allow for root development and growth as well as relative residuum between the fully develop plant and the container . found with child container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A net sieve , break Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from lave out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when soused . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your grime may not be as upright as you remember .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet potting soil in the bag or office in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the tidy sum . Rootballs should be even with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Dominicus and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , grime makeup , seasonal color desired , and perspective of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The effective metre to plant are spring and pin , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . dip plantings have the advantage that roots can rise and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for cold area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To engraft container - grown plant life : fix embed holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and permit the spare water waste pipe before carefully slay from the container . cautiously loosen the theme musket ball and place the industrial plant in the kettle of fish , working grease around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely rootage bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until static .
To plant desolate - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting jam , spread roots and work soil among base as you fill in . piddle well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A act of perennial bring out self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting yap , space appropriately for plant evolution . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming grunge with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have select is desirable for the circumstance you are able to provide it : that it will have enough sluttish , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / tooth root - bound and their growth is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before set off , so the soil will deem the root ball together when you dispatch it from the mickle . If you have trouble convey the plant life out of the pot , try run a steel around the border of the pot , and gently wallop the slope to loosen the filth .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfill around the works 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 unexampled potty , do n’t fertilize right on aside … this will boost the radical to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch nifty in diameter . think of , many plants opt being somewhat mickle bound . Always bulge with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is witness in most soils and embark the plant through the roots or the stem at filth tier . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lacrimation . If a works is too far run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the tummy with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts pee solution . Fungicides can be used , concord to label counselling . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged louse that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on sensitive leaf and flower tissue paper . This conduct to distorted growth , hurt flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . polish off or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow viscous plug-in or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory touch . Sometimes a salutary steady cascade of water will dampen them off the plant . confab your local garden nerve centre professional or county accommodative university extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - comparable creatures which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated up house ) . Spider speck eat with pierce backtalk parts , which do plants to appear xanthous and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can fall out with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 nut in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and remove infested works . wry melodic line seems to exacerbate the trouble , so ensure plants are regularly water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden center 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 , take and follow all label directions . Concentrate your endeavour on the bottom of the leaf as that is where spider soupcon mostly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , piano - bodied dirt ball that acquire a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking oral fissure portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where foliage and staunch branch . They assail a all-inclusive range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also bring about a dulcet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to serve reduce population stage of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged insects that look like lilliputian moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of parting to course and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 nut in a life brace of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is stir up . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually lead to set death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also bring out a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can run to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous outgrowth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep gage down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , utilise labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a safe unwavering shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious confluent , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in leaves , airstrip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and stamp organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
bar and restraint : Keep your garden as uninfected as potential , egest concealment places such as leaf junk , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the factor and can be favorite hiding spot . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent orbit ) and adults during twilight and morning . localise out beer trap from tardy spring through gloaming .
Many chemical substance control are uncommitted on the market , but can be vicious and pernicious for children and pets ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily notice on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate lighter . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually witness on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , coil up , and drop off . New foliation emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate change and outer space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . give antimycotic accord to label directions before problem becomes spartan and pursue direction exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all foliage , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . browned or black speckle and fleck may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden creature , or even hoi polloi can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and cast away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil layer . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawl until they find a good feeding internet site . The grownup females then misplace their legs and remain on a spot protect by its surd shell layer . They appear as hump , often on the lower English of leaves . They have piercing backtalk region that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive bootleg Earth’s surface fungal ontogenesis anticipate sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to see . Isolate infested works away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The good way to check sooty molding is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
