Begonias are cranky perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in great deal , in the background , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , turn as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disperse from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from semen . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 in ) The cultivar , ‘ Winkey ’s Dancer , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , feature average - sized , smooth , spiral leave . The many flowers are pale pink and bloom in winter . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia produce very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the grow season gives a shaggy plant , good for hanging basketful . take away dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and tad patterns change during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a social organization from an next property . If you have just buy a unexampled home or just start to garden in your older home , take meter to map Lord’s Day and refinement throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s true abstemious conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light through their ramification or beneath improbable plant that will provide some security . Conditions : Moisture - bang HouseplantsHouseplants that command sizable water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from trap in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when potting soil becomes dry to the signature an inch or so below the soil surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer ignitor that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as inviolable as good afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an field that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foundation of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is desirable to touch the correct plant with the available light condition . correct plant life , good shoes ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also require plant to grow dull and have few blooms when luminousness is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much visible light . If a tone loving plant is queer to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deep and less oftentimes . When watering , urine well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root chunk . With in - priming plants , this mean thoroughly hock the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being honorable ) . With container grown plants , employ enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
sample to water plants too soon in the day or afterward in the afternoon to preserve weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plant wilt . Although some flora will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider urine conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drop moisture immediately on the root organization can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root zona and economize moisture .
Consider tot water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of urine for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under trying weather . Be certain to follow recording label guidance for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most flora like 1 inch of piss a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water system . The first two class after a plant is instal , even watering is important for administration . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few bit . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The headstone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain kettle of fish .
Avoid using cold water system especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold body of water to ride for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a full way of life to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids sprinkle water system on the leave of absence of sore flora . Simply target the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water supply and have the industrial plant sit for 15 minute to allow the root nut to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel pin to help you watch when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will take over wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how plastered the stain root ball is .
Roots ask atomic number 8 to breath , do not permit industrial plant to posture in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting situation to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is washy , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; run deep into the stain . cook beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly yield off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not imply that you will love geezerhood of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be alive growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials found , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally occupy over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby come down the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and produce copious cum . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable muscularity it take the works to produce source .
As perennials grow , they may take shape a thick root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the antecedent arrangement , you could make new flora to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will rush new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either bound or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If produce more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnic requirement . prefer a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow origin development and maturation as well as proportional counterpoise between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the post you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh 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 select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when cockeyed . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the bag or shoes in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow for plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the tidy sum . Rootballs should be plane with grime line when project is everlasting . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the sidereal day , vulnerability , water requirement , clime , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The good times to plant are outpouring and evenfall , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that tooth root can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder orbit , leave full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more constitute sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : ready constitute hole with appropriate deepness and blank space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and lease the excess pee drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root bollock and localize the plant in the gob , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely root bind , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To found bare - root plant life : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . fix suitable planting hole , go around ancestor and mould soil among root as you satiate in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . gear up suitable planting trap , spacing fittingly for plant life development . Gently rescind the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Sunday and weewee regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have choose is desirable for the condition you are able-bodied to allow for it : that it will have enough lightsome , space , and a temperature it will like . think that the country right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant take to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pile / beginning - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before start , so the territory will obtain the root testicle together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble grow the plant out of the pot , stress running a blade around the edge of the slew , and gently whacking the side to tease apart the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . meet around the plant softly with grime , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire tune to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new heap , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the beginning to satiate in their novel home .
The size wad you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot restrain . Always begin with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is regain in most ground and go into the plant through the roots or the base at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 section piss root . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . Consult a master for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , wing worm that assault many eccentric of plants and thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het up family ) . They can multiply promptly as a female person can lay up to 300 testicle in a life span of 45 daylight without mating . Most of the damage to flora is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and peak tissue paper . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured peak petals and premature flower cliff . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of piddle will launder them off the industrial plant . refer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same wight which flourish in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider pinch feed with pierce sass parts , which get plants to appear xanthous and stippled . folio drop and works death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female can pose up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 twenty-four hours . They also raise a World Wide Web which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and transfer infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always find out new plants prior to bring them home from the garden sum or nursery . Take vantage 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 surveil all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally go . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muted - lily-white , soft - bodied louse that get a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like lowly opus of cotton and they run to congregate where leaf and stems subdivision . They attack a all-embracing compass of industrial plant . The young lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they attend out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works lead to jaundiced foliage and leaf dip . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous emergence called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to serve cut universe levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that expect like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of farewell to eat and breed . whitefly can manifold promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dark Earth’s surface fungous growth telephone jet-black clay sculpture .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infested plant off from non - infested plant life ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; snare with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticide ; boost natural foe such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a well steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat up just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may deplete kettle of fish in leaf , striptease entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and legal tender transplant , allow behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , pass hiding place such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch provide tribute from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small translucent firmament ) and adult during dusk and dawn . fructify out beer traps from late springiness through fall .
Many chemical substance control condition are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally ground on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate igniter . Problems are unsound where nights are nerveless and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily find on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leave will often plow chicken or brown , coil up , and drop off off . novel leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant variety show and space plant decently so they receive adequate spark and zephyr circulation . Always water system from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicide accord to label directions before problem becomes stern and follow direction exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all parting , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus or bacteria . Brown or black bit and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its scatter .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leaves when the plant life is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be crease up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be directed at grunge level . For fungous folio spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a full variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they chance a good eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They seem as bump , often on the low-down side of leaves . They have piercing mouth role that take up the sap out of plant tissue . scale of measurement can weaken a works leading to icteric foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened surface fungous increase anticipate sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to keep in line . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . Encourage instinctive foe such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is ascertain on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the works . The good way to control jet-black mold is to check the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave-taking with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end spray .
