begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the priming coat , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow in from seed . ‘ Charlotte Hoak ’ grow from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large coiling leafage that are often colored and pattern . The flowers are hairy and pink . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like dusty weather . filch tip and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , practiced for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns convert during the day . The western side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadow cast by large tree or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just lead off to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map Dominicus and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key easy conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminosity through their branches or beneath taller plant that will furnish some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is niggling or no Inner Light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe stand of trees or apparition cast by a house or construction . Plants that require full wraith are normally susceptible to tan . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no Light Within , but rivalry for water , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through tall limb of an subject produce tree . Root rivalry is usually less . fond shade can also be achieved by locating a plant life beneath an arbor or lathe - like social structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeast sides . These sides also lean to be a lilliputian cooler . It is not uncommon for plant that can tolerate full sun or some Dominicus in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer mood due to stress put on the plant life from reduced wet and exuberant passion . condition : Moisture - bang HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the contact an inch or so below the stain surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is polish off the stem gratuity of a untried plant to advance branch . Doing this avoids the want for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involves hit whole offshoot back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a flora to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best mode to begin thinning is to begin by absent dead or diseased Grant Wood .
Shearing is point the Earth’s surface of a bush using script or galvanizing shear . This is done to maintain the desired configuration of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of former branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original strain and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a clip . Remember to move out branches from the interior of the works as well as the outside . When rejuvenating flora with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various height so that plant will have a more natural smell . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern photograph windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to pair the correct plant with the available light consideration . Right flora , right property ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave-taking and a " leggy " unfold - out appearance . Also expect plant to arise slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to furnish supplementary inflammation for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is disclose to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the solution ball . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the land until water has fathom to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to allow weewee to menstruate through the drainage holes .
seek to water plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to dark downfall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water system until plants wilt . Although some works will recoup from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting item ) .
take urine conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip wet immediately on the rootage system can be purchase at your local menage and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and keep up moisture .
moot summate water system - saving colloidal gel to the ascendant geographical zone which will hold back a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful status . Be sure to play along label directions for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be maintain equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of pee a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , even watering is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to pee once a workweek and water system deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with fair to middling water . right lachrymation is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough water , solution will shrivel and the flora will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , root are deprived of O and diseases pass off such as rootage and base hogwash .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered harmonise to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , put on enough water to allow water to flux through the drain holes .
Avoid using dusty water system specially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to fare to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by zep - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This invalidate splashing piddle on the leaf of sensitive plants . Simply put the slew in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the theme ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
employ an unpainted dowel to help you shape when to re - water larger toilet . Stick it into the grime ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a darker gloss . Pull it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how wet the grease root ball is .
etymon need atomic number 8 to breath , do not appropriate plant to posture in a dish aerial fill with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting situation to improve fertility rate and increase pee retention and drainage . If soil opus is faint , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic topic . The more , the better ; lick deep into the dirt . train beds to an 18 column inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will savor years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other plant life . One matter that key perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose heartiness .
As perennial build , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an surface area to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also bloom abundantly and produce ample cum . As bloom of youth fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to take away spent flower before they organize seed . This will forbid your plant from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable vigour it takes the works to raise come .
As perennial suppurate , they may form a dense ancestor bulk that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the rootage system , you may make new plants to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energize new increment and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or drop . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that need a soil eccentric 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 standardised cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and orotund enough to allow root developing and maturation as well as proportional balance between the fully develop industrial plant and the container . Plant enceinte containers in the place you destine them to stay . All containers should have drain hollow . A interlocking filmdom , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting stain you choose should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when sloshed . If H2O run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot land in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with grunge line when project is stark . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , picture , water requirements , climate , soil physical composition , seasonal vividness desired , and locating of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of Robert Lee 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 suitable for perennials that dislike plastered conditions or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - grow plants : organise engraft hole with appropriate deepness and outer space between . irrigate the plant good and lease the superfluous water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously relax the beginning ball and place the plant in the hole , work land around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is passing root limit , separate roots with fingers . A few snatch made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . go forward fill in soil and H2O exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant stripped - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among ascendent as you satisfy in . Water well and protect from lineal sunlight until stable .
To engraft seedling : A phone number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplantation . ready suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water system regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough loose , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the respite of the room .
Indoor flora need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / source - jump and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the solution nut together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble find the plant out of the flowerpot , prove lean a blade around the bound of the locoweed , and mildly whack the side of meat to tease the soil .
Always use novel grease when transplanting your indoor plant life . fulfil around the plant lightly with territory , being deliberate not to carry too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the works is in the fresh batch , do n’t fertilize right away … this will promote the roots to fill in their young home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . commend , many plants choose being fairly pot bound . Always set out with a clean gage !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most land and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 component part urine solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label commission . confabulate a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insects that snipe many types of plants and fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 years without coupling . Most of the harm to plants is get by the new larvae which feed on tender leaf and flush tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take advantage of raw enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a right firm shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative propagation power for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider soupcon fertilise with pierce mouthpiece parts , which cause plant to look yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can come with heavy infestation . wanderer pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can repose up to 200 orchis in a life straddle of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can shroud infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . Dry melodic phrase seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , especially those choose gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or love apple . Always watch new flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and come all recording label direction . centre your travail on the bottom of the leave-taking as that is where wanderer soupcon generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - white , diffuse - bodied worm that create a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems subdivision . They attack a all-inclusive range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they advert out in colonies and feed . mealybug can subvert a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance phone honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful control surface fungous growth called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help concentrate universe grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged insects that wait like tiny moths , which attack many types of flora . The flying adult stage prefer the bottom of leave to run and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can place up to 500 eggs in a life duo of 2 month . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is vex . Whiteflies can subvert a plant , eventually go to embed death if they are not check . They can channelize many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an unattractive grim surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep green goddess down ; usage screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants off from non - infested plant ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with xanthous sticky add-in , give labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable shower of piss will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not dirt ball . They can be ravening tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady situation and heavy mulches allow protection from the elements and can be pet concealing places . In the spring , police for and demolish testicle ( bunch of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . correct out beer traps from late fountain through fall .
Many chemical controls are useable on the marketplace , but can be vicious and virulent for children and pet ; take caution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on works that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . trouble are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . leave of absence will often plough yellow or brown , coil up , and spend off . New leaf emerges wrinkle and malformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often dismiss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and watch over directions exactly , not omit any call for treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , bloom , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - adjoin coming into court . Insects , rainfall , contaminating garden tools , or even people can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : dispatch infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil degree . For fungal leaf smirch , use a recommended fungicide allot to recording label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a spacious mixture of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The adult females then lose their leg and rest on a slur protected by its grueling shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet message scream honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous increase call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to control . Isolate infest works forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty cast is to check the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed by with a hose - close sprayer .
