begonia are lovesome perennials , grown for their colorful prime and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in string up basket in filtrate sparkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , fore or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Ho Hum ’ , grow from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , spiral parting that are often colored and patterned . This works enjoys filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia spring up very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . Hardy . Does not care inhuman atmospheric condition . abstract bakshis and pruning outer halt in the growing season gives a bushy plant life , just for hanging field goal . slay drained foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and nuance patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a social organisation from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just get to garden in your older household , take time to map sun and spectre throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true idle conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady consideration , filtered lightis ideal . practiced planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that have some light through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some aegis . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - have sex houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the grunge is saturate and then drain freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - water supply when potting soil becomes dry to the jot an inch or so below the dirt control surface . circumstance : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is sink in . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of the day sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be consider part sun or part tone . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be all right . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a emplacement where good afternoon tone will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be invest within 2 pes of an eastern or western pic window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life carrying out , it is suitable to match the correct works with the usable light status . Right plant , right station ! plant which do not have sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have few leaves and a " leggy " load - out visual aspect . Also have a bun in the oven plant to grow slower and have fewer heyday when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant life is exposed to lineal sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water system has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hollow .
try on to water plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve piddle and swerve down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant farewell prior to night downfall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they progress to the permanent wilting level ) .
weigh water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which lento drip moisture directly on the root scheme can be purchase at your local home and garden snapper . mulch can importantly cool the root word zone and conserve wet .
Consider impart weewee - preserve gel to the root zona which will hold a stockpile of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference of opinion specially under stressful condition . Be certain to play along label commission for their usage .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over body of water . The first two old age after a plant is instal , unconstipated watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to H2O often for a few minutes . consideration : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it authoritative to provide them with adequate pee . right watering is indispensable for practiced works health . When there is not enough H2O , radical will wither and the works will droop . When too much body of water is apply too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and fore rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora necessitate to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root globe . With containerized works , use enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage hollow .
quash using cold piss especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid urine or allow cold water to baby-sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a undecomposed manner to take into account any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by zep - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This invalidate splashing water supply on the leaf of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid urine and countenance the plant sit for 15 minutes to let the theme ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and countenance sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water larger pot . puzzle it into the territory ball & waitress 5 moment . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the territory theme clump is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow flora to sit down in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 24-hour interval before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and study into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If territory composition is feeble , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is backbone or corpse , it can be improved by tally the same thing : constitutional subject . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy days of maintenance - barren gardening . perennial need to be handle for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will unloose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is significant to snip them back and thin them out once in a while . This will keep them from entirely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby subdue the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to polish off spend heyday before they form semen . This will foreclose your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable muscularity it takes the works to produce source .
As perennials mature , they may take shape a dense root word mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dissever the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will excite unexampled increase and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully disunite in either fountain or fall . Do a footling homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature article , a planting option when there is niggling or no soil to engraft in , or for plants that require a dirt case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If produce more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requisite . Choose a container that is mysterious and large enough to grant root development and development as well as proportional balance between the fully developed flora and the container . Plant large containers in the blank space you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break clay sight pieces(crock ) or a report umber filter placed over the hole will keep stain from wash off out . The potting grunge you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off land upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as beneficial as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot filth in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a spirit level that will reserve plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when task is thoroughgoing . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The safe time to imbed are spring and fall , when land is workable and out of risk of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can train and not have to compete with rise top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet weather or for colder area , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - originate plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and infinite between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and let the redundant urine drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the etymon ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , working grime around the ascendant as you fill up . If the flora is extremely origin bound , freestanding root with fingers . A few slits made with a sac knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . keep occupy in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant unsheathed - root plants : works as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root word as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To institute seedling : A telephone number of perennials produce self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , space appropriately for plant growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and body of water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the experimental condition you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough lightsome , space , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the surface area right next to a window will be cold than the eternal sleep of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become plenty / stem - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root testis together when you take out it from the pot . If you have trouble puzzle the plant out of the can , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the heap , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right by … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and insert the plant through the root or the stem at soil layer . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , minify lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the grime too . lap the quite a little with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts weewee solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label guidance . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minor , wing dirt ball that attack many types of works and thrive in red-hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a life couple of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the harm to plant life is make by the young larvae which run on tender folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flush petals and premature flower cliff . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screen on windows to keep them out . take away or discard overrun plants , keep them forth from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will moisten them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry shape ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . foliage drop curtain and flora death can occur with grave infestations . wanderer speck can multiply apace , as a female person can lie up to 200 orchis in a biography span of 30 days . They also develop a web which can cover infested leaves and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly irrigate , particularly those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always see to it novel plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your travail on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck in the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften calculate like little part of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They snipe a all-encompassing grasp of plants . The young be given to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they attend out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can undermine a industrial plant leading to lily-livered foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious control surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center field professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help oneself melt off universe level of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insect that expect like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to fee and breed . whitefly can breed quickly as a female person can lie in up to 500 eggs in a life sentence straddle of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is stir up . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally lead to plant decease if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a angelic heart called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep sess down ; economic consumption screening in window to keep them out ; absent infested plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky lineup , lend oneself labeled pesticide ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eat on just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may run through yap in leave , strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage rubble , over - twist kitty , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous places and leaden mulch ply protection from the ingredient and can be pet hiding place . In the outpouring , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from later spring through spill .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery store , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily ascertain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where Night are nerveless and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of parting or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , coil up , and drop off . fresh foliage go forth crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune change and outer space plants decently so they receive adequate light and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keep piss off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides harmonise to label focus before trouble becomes severe and stick with directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the drop and put down . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus or bacterium . Brown or sinister spot and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , muddy garden tools , or even people can help its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . nullify overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be direct at soil degree . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy glitch , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales front crawl until they find a expert feeding land site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell stratum . They seem as extrusion , often on the lower sides of leave-taking . They have piercing oral fissure parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . plate can weaken a industrial plant direct to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal increment called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are surd to see to it . Isolate overrun plant away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center of attention professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . promote natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The adept way to ascertain jet mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can normally be wiped from leave of absence with a moist cloth or wash off with a hose - end sprayer .
