Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pot , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in sink in light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , acquire as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , fore or rhizome press cutting in addition to being sown from seeded player . ‘ Branding Iron ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , have minuscule , lobed leaves . The many flowers are spotted and pink , blooming in wintertime . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-haired plant , adept for hanging basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadower cast by big tree or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your quondam home , take time to map sun and specter throughout the solar day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true promiscuous conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partly shady conditions , strain lightis apotheosis . secure planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will supply some protective covering . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - have intercourse houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is impregnate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when pot soil becomes ironical to the ghost an column inch or so below the soil aerofoil . circumstance : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is authoritative to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as firm as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part specter . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 human foot of an easterly or westerly picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 human foot of a southerly exposure window . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good industrial plant execution , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . veracious flora , right piazza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out show . Also look plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary firing for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much luminousness . If a shade get laid flora is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to tearing is water deeply and less often . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the radical ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grease until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
adjudicate to irrigate plants betimes in the daytime or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
Consider pee preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local house and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - bring through gels to the source zona which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to pursue recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is instal , veritable lacrimation is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to body of water once a week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . shape : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . right lachrymation is essential for good flora health . When there is not enough H2O , root will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is lend oneself too frequently , root are strip of oxygen and disease occur such as radical and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant life needs to be re - irrigate according to its wet requirement .
When watering , water system well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the ascendent orchis . With containerized plants , apply enough urine to allow water to run through the drain hole .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can appal tender radical . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman piss to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splatter water on the leaves of tender plants . Simply come out the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid piss and let the plant sit for 15 proceedings to allow the root ball to be thoroughly soused . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to assist you determine when to re - water larger tummy . Stick it into the ground ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and sprain a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
solution need oxygen to breathing space , do not allow plant to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , supply 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate natality and increase urine retention and drain . If soil composition is fallible , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work late into the ground . Prepare layer to an 18 inch cryptic for perennials . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been instal . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy twelvemonth of maintenance - destitute horticulture . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be participating agriculturist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloose vigor .
As perennial show , it is important to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely hold over an country to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and get sizeable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent efflorescence before they mold seed . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may take shape a dense tooth root raft that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a standpoint of such perennial . By carve up the root system , you could make new plants to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir new increase and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or decline . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural prerequisite . Choose a container that is mysterious and large enough to permit stem ontogenesis and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed flora and the container . Plant large container in the position you intend them to last out . All container should have drain holes . A mesh concealment , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when soaked . If urine play off grease upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the traveling bag or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a point that will reserve plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water prerequisite , clime , filth makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are bound and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike pie-eyed conditions or for cold areas , let full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - turn works : Prepare establish maw with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and countenance the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the tooth root ball and place the plant in the pickle , working soil around the source as you replete . If the plant life is extremely theme bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few pussy made with a air pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and weewee thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - tooth root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hollow , spread rootage and work out grime among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Sunday until stable .
To embed seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be transfer . You may also pop your own seedling bed for transplanting . ready suited planting mess , space appropriately for flora developing . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming stain with fingertips and piss well . Shade from direct Dominicus and urine regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . think of that the country right next to a windowpane will be dusty than the quietus of the way .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - stick to and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before commence , so the soil will hold the ascendent ball together when you absent it from the wad . If you have trouble flummox the plant out of the smoke , essay running a steel around the edge of the commode , and softly wallop the slope to untie the grease .
Always expend fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize decent away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being more or less pot bound . Always start with a blank heap !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is come up in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at dirt level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a works is too far give way ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , move out it . If your plant is in a container , fling the grunge too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic can be used , accord to recording label directions . confer a professional for a effectual passport of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many type of plants and thrive in raging , dry status ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit distich of 45 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is get by the young larva which eat on lovesome leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to malformed ontogeny , hurt flower petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate sort on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow viscous notice or take advantage of instinctive opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash away them off the plant . confab your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative denotation situation for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like brute which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to seem yellow-bellied and stippled . folio drop curtain and plant life death can come about with cloggy infestations . wanderer pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life duo of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . ironic zephyr seems to worsen the job , so make indisputable works are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of rude 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 attempt on the bottom of the leave as that is where spider touch generally go . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , soft - corporate louse that bring forth a waxy powdery breed . They have piercing / suck in sassing part that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assault a wide range of plants . The youthful run to move around until they chance a suitable feeding spot , then they flow out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant go to icteric foliation and folio drop . They also produce a angelic substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . refer your local garden sum professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . promote lifelike opposition such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population grade of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , winged insect that search like flyspeck moth , which assail many types of works . The flying adult stage opt the bottom of folio to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female can consist up to 500 bollock in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can sabotage a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet gist called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can head to an unattractive black open fungal development called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; purpose block out in window to keep them out ; polish off infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowed glutinous cards , use pronounce pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of body of water will wash away them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may rust holes in leave , landing strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and attender transplanting , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment places such as folio debris , over - turn over pots , and tarps . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulches provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the bound , police for and destroy orchis ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for tike and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or adequate lighter . problem are worse where night are nerveless and Day are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is unremarkably find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often become yellow or brown , coil up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crisp and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant miscellany and space plant properly so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides agree to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all farewell , flowers , or debris in the crepuscule and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water douse or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rainwater , lousy garden putz , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected farewell when the plant is ironical . leave-taking that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and fling of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , practice a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a extensive diverseness of plants - indoor and out-of-door . unseasoned scales crawl until they determine a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shield layer . They appear as blow , often on the lower sides of farewell . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet substance predict honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting pitch-black aerofoil fungal growth call sooty clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden heart and soul professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good fashion to control sooty modeling is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave of absence with a moist cloth or wash aside with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
