Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be rise outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in sink in igniter and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cut in addition to being sown from semen . ‘ Bronco ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia rise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not care insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a shaggy plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove numb foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that Dominicus and shade patterns shift during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadow contrive by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just grease one’s palms a newfangled habitation or just beginning to garden in your older domicile , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . secure planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that let some brightness level through their branches or beneath taller plants that will render some protection . Conditions : Moisture - jazz HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample piss , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the filth is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when potting dirt becomes dry to the soupcon an in or so below the grunge control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light source that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often forenoon Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an sphere that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tint will be receive . Conditions : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant life with the available light atmospheric condition . good works , right place ! Plants which do not invite sufficient Light Within may become wan in colouring material , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slow and have fewer blooms when luminosity is less than worthy . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . works can also receive too much spark . If a shade loving plant life is uncover to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piddle profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root word ball . With in - ground works , this means exhaustively soak the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being ripe ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough H2O to admit pee to flow through the drain holes .
seek to water plants betimes in the sidereal day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and edit down on works stress . Do urine early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to Nox fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will give way if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
think water preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which lento drip moisture right away on the root organization can be purchased at your local plate and garden marrow . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and maintain moisture .
view sum water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reservation of weewee for the plant . These can make a macrocosm of difference especially under trying conditions . Be certain to watch label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as weather condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a works is instal , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is safe to pee once a week and urine deep , than to weewee often for a few minute of arc . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it of import to provide them with adequate water system . right watering is essential for salutary flora health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant life will droop . When too much water is practice too frequently , root are deprive of atomic number 8 and disease pass off such as root word and prow rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant demand to be re - water grant to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly impregnate the stem ball . With containerized flora , employ enough water system to allow water to fall through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow insensate body of water to sit down for a while to number to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply localise the potbelly in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and lease the plant sit for 15 instant to admit the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you set when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the ground formal & look 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the grunge and move around a saturnine colour . draw it out and try out . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil ascendant ball is .
Roots ask atomic number 8 to breath , do not reserve plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daytime before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to meliorate fertility and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil composition is fallible , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . educate bed to an 18 in rich for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly give off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done later on , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of maintenance - costless gardening . perennial want to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will liberate vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to crop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from all taking over an expanse to the ejection of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby boil down the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spend bloom before they form seed . This will keep your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seeded player .
As perennial maturate , they may form a slow root mass that eventually take to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new industrial plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If mature more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and big enough to permit stem development and increase as well as proportional balance between the in full develop plant and the container . constitute large containers in the spot you intend them to quell . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken Henry Clay spate pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter localise over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or land - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If H2O runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with grime , wet potting filth in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about midway full or to a stage that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with dirt origin when task is everlasting . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , body of water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can produce and not have to vie with develop top increment as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike sozzled experimental condition or for frigid areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare implant hole with appropriate profoundness and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the excess water drainpipe before carefully bump off from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working land around the root as you meet . If the works is highly root bound , disjoined root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in grease and water system good , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - stem industrial plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . educate suitable planting cakehole , spread out roots and wreak soil among theme as you satisfy in . H2O well and protect from unmediated Dominicus until unchanging .
To embed seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also come out your own seedling bottom for transplanting . gear up worthy planting hole , space appropriately for works development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to allow it : that it will have enough lightheaded , infinite , and a temperature it will like . call back that the area right next to a window will be colder than the balance of the elbow room .
Indoor flora need to be transfer into a large container sporadically , or they become wad / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root word ball together when you bump off it from the potful . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , taste run a vane around the edge of the pot , and softly wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with filth , being deliberate not to pile too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the theme . After the plant is in the fresh jackpot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to fill in their new home .
The size mickle you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think back , many plants favour being jolly pot bound . Always set out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is chance in most grease and enter the flora through the stem or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grime too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 component water solvent . antifungal can be used , harmonise to label way . confer a master for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plant life is do by the young larvae which fee on tender leaf and blossom tissue paper . This run to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant life , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish viscous cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension business office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites give with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear icteric and flecked . Leaf drop and plant death can come with heavy infestation . Spider pinch can multiply apace , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a animation span of 30 twenty-four hour period . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . ironical air seems to aggravate the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always hold novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . centre your endeavour on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , soft - bodied insects that give rise a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suckle the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften attend like small pieces of cotton wool and they incline to congregate where leaves and halt offshoot . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they line up a suitable alimentation maculation , then they cling out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also develop a odorous substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth shout sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population spirit level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The fly adult stagecoach favour the undersurface of leaves to give and breed . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 ball in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the works is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a flora , eventually top to plant death if they are not checked . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a odoriferous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal maturation shout sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plant ; use a pondering mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with scandalmongering sticky cards , hold label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a well steady exhibitioner of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may eat pickle in leave-taking , strip entire shank , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace graft , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf rubble , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide aegis from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the bound , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawn . Set out beer hole from late spring through dusk .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually obtain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . problem are sorry where Nox are nerveless and daytime are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often twist yellow or brown , curve up , and set down off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often dismiss ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always urine from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the N fertiliser . Apply antifungal consort to label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not overlook any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or black slur and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water inebriate or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rainfall , contaminating garden tools , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that gather around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . nullify overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be directed at soil tier . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a spacious variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . immature scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard case bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower slope of leaves . They have thrust mouth component part that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellow leaf and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungous growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to master . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden kernel professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy microbe , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The secure means to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty stamp can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end atomizer .
