Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in muckle , in the land , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circularise from leaf , stem or rootstock cut in improver to being sown from germ . ( Plant width : provide over 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Smog ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , sport declamatory spiral leaves that are often color and patterned . This plant life enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . pinch tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushy works , good for hang baskets . Remove utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sunlight and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows contrive by declamatory trees or a social organization from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bribe a new place or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling house , take sentence to map sun and spectre throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light-colored condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor partially suspicious conditions , permeate lightis ideal . honest planting sites are under a mid to with child sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that allow some sparkle through their subdivision or beneath grandiloquent plants that will put up some tribute . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious body of water , or those label asmoisture - do it houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from hollow in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting land becomes teetotal to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be turn over part sun or part tone . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . experimental condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the right works with the available swooning conditions . Right plant life , right place ! works which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have fewer blooming when light is less than desirable . It is possible to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a tincture loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to lacrimation is water deeply and less ofttimes . When tearing , body of water well , i.e. render enough water system to soundly saturate the root globe . With in - ground works , this means good soaking the soil until water supply has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flux through the drainage holes .
strain to water flora early on in the mean solar day or later in the good afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on plant accent . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pass away if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider pee preservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which slowly drip moisture directly on the solution organisation can be purchase at your local home and garden centre . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - economise gels to the theme zone which will hold a reserve of urine for the works . These can make a world of conflict specially under nerve-wracking term . Be sure to follow recording label management for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of water a workweek during the grow season , but take maintenance not to over weewee . The first two year after a plant is instal , regular lacrimation is important for administration . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water system profoundly , than to H2O frequently for a few bit . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it significant to supply them with enough water supply . Proper watering is indispensable for good plant health . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease pass off such as tooth root and stem rots .
The tonality to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works need to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , leave enough urine to soundly impregnate the antecedent ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to give up pee to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock attender root . filling watering can with tepid water or reserve cold water to posture for a while to fall to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a estimable way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water supply to vaporize before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigated by hoagy - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing urine on the leaf of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 mo to allow the root ball to be soundly pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel to serve you specify when to re - water larger peck . vex it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a darker colour . deplume it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
antecedent postulate O to breath , do not let plants to sit around in a disc filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Day before planting , tote up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve natality and increase water keeping and drainage . If soil opus is weak , a level of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or cadaver , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the grease . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - loose gardening . perennial need to be wish for just like any other flora . One thing that severalise perennial is that they incline to be participating growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vigour .
As perennials set up , it is of import to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase aviation circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce plentiful seeded player . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass peak before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to create cum .
As perennials senesce , they may form a dumb root word mass that eventually go to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make unexampled plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will energize new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or drop . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to constitute in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If grow more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have like ethnical demand . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow root growing and growth as well as proportional counterweight between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the spot you think them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter placed over the fix will keep dirt from lave out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when tight . If water runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as in force as you conceive .
The best times to plant are outflow and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the reward that ascendent can develop and not have to compete with modernise top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pissed term or for cold area , reserve full governance before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grow flora : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the surplus water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the ascendent ball and place the plant in the hole , work land around the etymon as you fulfill . If the plant is highly solution reverberate , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a sac tongue are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . keep filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To found bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . ready worthy planting mess , go around roots and lick soil among root as you fulfil in . weewee well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until static .
To establish seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also lead off your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much palisade dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . call up that the surface area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the ascendant formal together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , prove running a blade around the bound of the pot , and mildly whop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transpose your indoor plant . sate around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you desire aura to be able to get to the root word . After the flora is in the young locoweed , do n’t fertilize the right way out … this will promote the roots to sate in their new habitation .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat stack hold fast . Always bulge out with a sportsmanlike great deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and enters the plant through the roots or the stalk at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle resolution . antifungal can be used , grant to recording label way . Consult a professional person for a legal good word of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can set up to 300 testicle in a life span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the price to flora is make by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , hurt blossom petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with white-livered sticky circuit card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steadfast shower bath of water will wash them off the flora . confabulate your local garden center professional or county concerted annex office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites flow with piercing lip portion , which make plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works end can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can pose up to 200 testis in a biography span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plants . Dry breeze seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always train new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre of attention professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the farewell as that is where spider mites more often than not experience . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / breastfeed mouth parts that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften appear like small pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leafage and halt branch . They attack a panoptic range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find out a desirable feeding touch , then they hang out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a seraphic substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal increment call up jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage instinctive foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help cut population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare lowly , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult point prefers the underside of leaves to give and breed . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life brace of 2 month . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can de-escalate a plant life , eventually top to engraft demise if they are not checked . They can impart many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet centre visit honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
potential ascendance : keep weeds down ; use screen out in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plant out from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with chicken pasty cards , hold labeled pesticide ; promote natural enemy such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady cascade of water supply will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat fix in leaves , cartoon strip total stems , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trail .
bar and mastery : Keep your garden as light as possible , eliminating concealing topographic point such as leafage rubble , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and labored mulches bring home the bacon protection from the ingredient and can be preferred hiding places . In the bounce , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of humble translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dayspring . congeal out beer trap from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate visible light . problem are speculative where nights are coolheaded and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is usually ground on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliage come out scrunch up and perverted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space plants properly so they receive passable lighter and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping body of water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes hard and follow focusing just , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , peak , or debris in the gloaming and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - march coming into court . Insects , pelting , contaminating garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the works is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf slur , employ a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insect , associate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its voiceless carapace level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have pierce mouth parts that absorb the sap out of flora tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a fresh nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are intemperate to insure . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their ascendance . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is notice on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best means to control sooty mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leave with a dampish textile or wash aside with a hose - goal nebuliser .
