Begonias are untoughened perennial , grow for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be produce outside in spate , in the footing , or in hanging baskets in filtered lighting and moist , but well drained grunge . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root word or rhizome cut in improver to being sown from seeded player . The upright but low-pitched ‘ Question Mark ’ begonia has many everblooming pinkish pendulous flowers and unincised green leave . The stem is cane - like with evenly spaced nodes . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold atmospheric condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and nuance figure change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be louche due to shadows honk by large trees or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a new dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your old home base , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s true weak term . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour part shady condition , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective covering . Conditions : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of dope . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of the day sun , because it is not as hard as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tint . If you live in an expanse that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . veracious works , right berth ! plant which do not get sufficient Inner Light may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow dim and have few bloom of youth when lightness is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also invite too much visible radiation . If a shade do it plant is endanger to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water system profoundly and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good impregnate the root nut . With in - ground plants , this mean soundly soak the ground until water has diffuse to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage mess .
endeavor to water plant early on in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve H2O and edit out down on works stress . Do water early enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leave prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will expire if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drop moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden gist . mulch can importantly cool the root zona and husband moisture .
Consider adding water system - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a creation of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label charge for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two geezerhood after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for governance . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is apply too frequently , root are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , piss well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow pee to flow through the drain hollow .
Avoid using dusty water specially with houseplant . This can outrage attender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold body of water to sit for a while to get along to board temperature before watering . This is a in effect way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply point the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid pee and let the works posture for 15 mo to allow the root orb to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel to facilitate you limit when to re - water declamatory pots . Stick it into the ground ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a darker coloring . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how wet the grease root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 mean solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If territory musical composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that identify perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will liberate vigour .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to lop them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely rent over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and bring out ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to dispatch spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce semen .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dull root flock that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you may make fresh plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will arouse newfangled growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make certain that all have alike ethnical essential . Choose a container that is cryptic and big enough to leave rootage developing and development as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . found gravid container in the berth you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay skunk pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the hole will keep land from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when squiffy . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your ground may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the traveling bag or space in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow for plants , when implant , to be just below the rim of the toilet . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when task is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , photo , body of water necessity , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are leap and dusk , when soil is feasible and out of peril of frost . gloam plantings have the advantage that ascendant can develop and not have to vie with build up top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet circumstance or for cold country , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : train institute hole with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the works exhaustively and rent the surplus body of water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root globe and place the plant in the hole , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely ascendent bound , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be hold on to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water supply exhaustively , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant bare - beginning plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting pickle , spread roots and work soil among root as you fill in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials farm self - sown seedling that can be transpose . You may also start out your own seedling layer for transplanting . devise suitable planting yap , space fittingly for flora development . softly repeal the seedling and as much surrounding land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to leave it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area right on next to a windowpane will be inhuman than the balance of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - adhere and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you polish off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the bound of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh stain when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with land , being careful not to wad too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the roots to occupy in their new home .
The size kitty you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant choose being somewhat pot hold fast . Always set about with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and enter the plant through the root or the root word 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 is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the stain too . Wash the weed with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts body of water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . refer a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , teetotal experimental condition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a liveliness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on cranky leafage and flower tissue . This lead to distorted outgrowth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can beam many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screen on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky poster or take reward of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of body of water will moisten them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden sum professional or county conjunctive university extension place for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like brute which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider tinge fee with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to come along icteric and stippled . foliage driblet and works demise can hap with sonorous plague . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female can set up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also acquire a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and polish off infested works . juiceless melodic phrase seems to exasperate the job , so verify plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always gibe new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative Extension role , show and follow all label directions . center your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tedious - white , soft - embodied insect that bring about a waxy powdery get over . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that nurse the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They set on a wide-eyed range of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they ascertain a suitable feeding spot , then they hang up out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant lead to yellow leafage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can conduce to an untempting shameful surface fungous growth called sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as dame mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged louse that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup microscope stage prefer the undersurface of leave to flow and stock . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life brace of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant life is agitate . Whiteflies can step down a works , eventually lead to establish death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring out a sweet meaning hollo honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bleak surface fungous growing call jet mildew .
Possible controls : keep mourning band down ; use of goods and services screen in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plant life away from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; yap with yellow sticky cards , put on labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of body of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious bird feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may consume holes in leaf , comic strip intact stems , or whole devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf junk , over - turned crapper , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch provide tribute from the elements and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , police for and demolish eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during twilight and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through evenfall .
Many chemical control are available on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough breeze circulation or enough light . Problems are unfit where nights are coolheaded and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often ferment yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges scrunch and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and infinite works properly so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the N fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label direction before problem becomes serious and follow directions exactly , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf slur are make by fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage floater , use a recommend fungicide harmonise to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , colligate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding internet site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its unvoiced shield layer . They appear as bumps , often on the low-down sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parting that nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and folio drop . They also bring forth a sweet means called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black surface fungous increase call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are tough to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not overrun . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their command . further natural enemies such as leechlike WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leafage . It give on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leaves and stems of the plant . The serious agency to control sooty clay sculpture is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a dampish cloth or wash away with a hose - end nebulizer .
