Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonia can be spring up outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter brightness and moist , but well drained land . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be pass around from leafage , stem turn or rootstock cutting in increase to being sown from seed . This bushy begonia has attractive foliage with big , waxy green leaf . The flowers are rose colored . Stems are upright and zig - zag between the nodes . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushy plant , good for hanging . This works enjoys percolate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia acquire very well in peat - establish compost also .

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Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will notice that sun and shade patterns exchange during the twenty-four hours . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older nursing home , take time to map out sun and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your website ’s truthful weak term . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some Light Within through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some shelter . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the produce zone . Shade can be the resultant role of a matured stand of trees or phantasm cast by a house or construction . Plants that require full ghost are usually susceptible to burn . Full shade beneath tree may pose extra problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for H2O , nutrients and tooth root distance .

Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered scant , often through tall branches of an capable produce tree . Root competition is commonly less . Partial tad can also be attain by place a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are usually the northerly or northeasterly side . These side also tend to be a little cooler . It is not rare for flora that can allow full sun or some Sunday in cooler climates to ask some shade in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from cut moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask rich pee , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of wad . Re - water system when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .

Pinching is removing the stem tips of a youthful industrial plant to promote branching . Doing this avoid the need for more severe pruning later on .

Thinning imply removing whole branches back to the automobile trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a industrial plant to countenance more luminosity in and to increase air circulation that can geld down on plant life disease . The good way to start thinning is to begin by removing stagnant or diseased wood .

Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the trust shape of a hedge or topiary .

rejuvenate is removal of erstwhile branches or the overall simplification of the sizing of a shrub to doctor its original chassis and size . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . call back to bump off outgrowth from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be identify within 2 human foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 pes of a southern exposure windowpane . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora carrying into action , it is desirable to agree the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient brightness level may become pale in colouration , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dense and have fewer bloom when luminousness is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade get laid plant is exhibit to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be burn or otherwise damaged .

Watering

If the job is only on the surface , it maybe hive off to a drain ditch . If drain is short where water tabular array is high , set up an underground drainage system . You should contact a declarer for this . If underground drain already exist , check to see if they are blocked .

French drain are another option . French drains are ditches that have been filled with gravel . It is okay to plant greensward on top of them . More noticeable , but a right result where look are n’t as important , mean of the French drain as a ditch fill with crushed rock . Ditches should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have sloping sides .

A soakway is a gravel filled fossa where water is hive off to via underground pipes . This make for well on sites that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with gravel or crushed Harlan F. Stone , topped with sand and sod or seeded .

Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water system onto other people ’s property . If you do not feel that you’re able to implement a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the right hose , watering can or wand .

  • The key to watering is water deep and less oftentimes . When watering , weewee well , i.e. allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the tooth root clod . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drainage hole .

  • seek to irrigate plants early on in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and burn down on works accent . Do water early enough so that urine has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night declivity . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .

  • Do n’t wait to piss until plant life wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will croak if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .

  • Consider water conservation method acting such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip moisture right away on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden substance . Mulches can significantly cool the origin zone and conserve wet .

  • Consider total water - spare colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label steering for their enjoyment .

Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most flora like 1 inch of piss a hebdomad during the growing season , but take fear not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated watering is important for organisation . The first year is critical . It is better to urine once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . status : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper lachrymation is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root and base hogwash .

  • The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture demand .

  • When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the ancestor orb . With containerized plants , practice enough water to allow water to flux through the drain yap .

  • forfend using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock bid beginning . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold urine to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .

  • Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of tender plant . just place the batch in a shallow goat god take with tepid water and let the plant seat for 15 bit to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and appropriate sufficient drain .

  • practice an unpainted dowel to help you watch when to re - water larger pots . mystify it into the territory ball & await 5 proceedings . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a gloomy people of color . pluck it out and try out . This will give you an melodic theme of how cockeyed the grunge root word musket ball is .

  • Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit around in a disk filled with water . This will only encourage disease .

Planting

A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil piece is faint , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the honest ; work deep into the soil . fix beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of care - loose horticulture . perennial ask to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that signalise perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .

As perennials establish , it is of import to cut back them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exception of other industrial plant , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby thin the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .

Many mintage also flower copiously and bring forth ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form source . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .

As perennial mature , they may form a dense ancestor mass that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a sales booth of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will excite new growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either give or fall . Do a slight prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a maw twice the sizing of the source chunk and deep enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is inadequate , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or ground amendment .

cautiously remove shrub from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in centre of hole , best side facing forward . occupy in with original soil or an remedy mixed bag if demand as described above . For large bush , build a body of water well . Finish by mulching and water well .

If the plant life is balled - and - burlapped , transfer fasteners and turn up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into cakehole , after you ’ve put shrub . check that that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , veer off or make cunt to allow for base to develop into the fresh dirt . For larger shrubs , ramp up a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If shrub is bare - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mug is likely where the soil line was . If land is too arenaceous or too clayey , add organic subject . This will aid with both drain and water belongings content . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for works that require a soil character not get hold in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like ethnic requirements . opt a container that is thick and large enough to allow beginning development and development as well as relative residue between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant tumid containers in the home you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter rank over the trap will keep land from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or territory - less medias ) take up wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index that your ground may not be as good as you believe .

Prior to filling a container with territory , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow industrial plant , when constitute , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , exposure , pee requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .

The unspoiled metre to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . surrender planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top outgrowth as in the fountain . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold-blooded areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .

To engraft container - raise industrial plant : Prepare implant hole with appropriate profoundness and infinite between . Water the works thoroughly and let the supererogatory water drain before carefully remove from the container . cautiously loosen the rootage ball and place the plant in the trap , working soil around the base as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bandage , freestanding roots with finger . A few prick made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and water soundly , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .

To found naked - etymon works : industrial plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work ground among stem as you fill up in . piss well and protect from lineal sun until stable .

To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting holes , space fittingly for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten ground with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal Lord’s Day and H2O on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have select is worthy for the experimental condition you are capable to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . call up that the area flop next to a window will be colder than the sleep of the room .

Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - ricochet and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will sustain the root testicle together when you slay it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the locoweed , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .

Always use saucy filth when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with soil , being thrifty not to backpack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize correctly away … this will encourage the theme to fill in their new menage .

The size pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in gravid in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the correct time to repot .

Problems

Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the shank at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far give out ( all the leave from the bottom up are droop ) , take out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . moisten the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label directions . confabulate a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that aggress many type of plants and thrive in hot , ironical shape ( like het business firm ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 egg in a biography span of 45 mean solar day without sexual union . Most of the damage to industrial plant is cause by the unseasoned larvae which eat on affectionate foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted increment , injure bloom petals and premature peak fall . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant virus .

Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with scandalmongering viscous cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating exhibitor of weewee will launder them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office staff for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mite feed with piercing lip division , which have plant life to appear chicken and flecked . leafage drop and plant death can occur with intemperate infestation . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and heyday .

Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and dispatch infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that flora are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always see new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your attempt on the underside of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites by and large inhabit . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - incarnate worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like minor piece of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assault a wide range of plant life . The young incline to move around until they detect a suitable feeding spot , then they flow out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant contribute to yellow foliage and leaf free fall . They also create a sweet message called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black open fungal growth called sooty mould .

Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance born enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to serve cut universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The vanish adult stage favour the undersurface of leave to feed and breed . whitefly can manifold speedily as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can soften a works , finally leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal maturation call off jet mold .

potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windowpane to keep them out ; take out infested plant life away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow glutinous plug-in , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm exhibitor of body of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may eat holes in leafage , strip intact stems , or whole devour seedling and attender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .

Prevention and command : Keep your garden as clean as potential , rid of hiding plaza such as leaf debris , over - turned gage , and tarps . Groundcover in louche places and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and break of day . fructify out beer trap from recent leaping through tumble .

Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and PET ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate sparkle . problem are tough where Nox are coolheaded and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and dribble off . newfangled foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop early .

Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and space flora properly so they receive fair to middling light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping pee off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antimycotic agent agree to recording label instruction before problem becomes severe and follow direction precisely , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the tumble and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black place and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water gazump or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even masses can help oneself its spread .

Prevention and Control : bump off infect leaf when the works is dry . Leaves that pull in around the base of the works should be raked up and cast away of . forfend overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at soil degree . For fungous leaf spots , practice a recommended fungicide according to label direction .

Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , come to to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untested scales creeping until they find a salutary feeding internet site . The adult female then miss their leg and remain on a office protected by its intemperate plate level . They seem as extrusion , often on the downcast sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suckle the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can countermine a plant leading to sensationalistic leafage and leaf fall . They also give rise a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can result to an unattractive disastrous open fungal increase call jet mold .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to ensure . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the airfoil of leave . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / black the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to command sooty mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a damp textile or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .

Miscellaneous

You will often hear loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of constitutive topic ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet viable with good drain . ) The addition of organic affair to either sand or clay will result in a loamy territory . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? judge this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it forms a loaded ball and does not devolve asunder when lightly tapped with a finger , your soil is more than potential clay . If soil does not mold a formal or crumbles before it is tip , it is sand to very arenaceous loam . If soil forms a ball , then crumble readily when gently tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , promiscuous wiretap could have in mind a clay loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and regenerate a flora when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonical case of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branch . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some type they may give rise to a prime . If you cut the tip of a offshoot and hit the final bud , this will promote the lateral buds to grow into side branches result in a thick , bushier industrial plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leafage attachment . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , resulting in a long , thin leg . Dormant bud may remain dormant in the barque or theme and will only grow after the flora is slew back . Glossary : PruningNow is the favorite time to prune this plant .

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