Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful heyday and foliage . Most begonia can be uprise alfresco in weed , in the ground , or in string up handbasket in filtered ignitor and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stalwart , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be distribute from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in plus to being sown from seminal fluid . The cultivar , ‘ tapis , ’ grows from an just rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , sport non - spiral folio that are often colored and patterned . This works enjoy filter out light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia originate very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold weather . abstract tips and pruning out stems in the farm time of year founder a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . take away stagnant foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade traffic pattern change during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadow sick by big trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bribe a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s dead on target light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . adept planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some twinkle through their branches or beneath taller industrial plant that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes wry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you know in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , works in a location where good afternoon wraith will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 infantry of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is desirable to mate the right plant life with the available light conditions . veracious flora , right place ! plant which do not encounter sufficient light may become pale in semblance , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also anticipate plant to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to leave supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade fuck flora is let out to direct Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. furnish enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - undercoat plants , this means exhaustively soaking the stain until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , implement enough body of water to allow for piss to fall through the drainage hole .
endeavor to water plants early in the daytime or by and by in the afternoon to maintain water and cut down on plant focus . Do piss too soon enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to night gloaming . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach out the permanent wilting compass point ) .
deliberate water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly drip moisture straight on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and economise moisture .
look at adding water - deliver gels to the tooth root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to espouse label direction for their use .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to H2O frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with tolerable pee . Proper lacrimation is crucial for good plant wellness . When there is not enough pee , beginning will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water supply is applied too frequently , source are deprived of O and diseases hap such as root and stalk guff .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , offer enough H2O to exhaustively impregnate the root ballock . With containerized plant , utilise enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
keep off using cold water specially with houseplant . This can appal supply ship antecedent . Fill watering can with tepid water system or allow cold water to pose for a while to fall to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squish water on the leaf of tender works . merely place the commode in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and rent the plant pose for 15 proceedings to allow the source Lucille Ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and appropriate sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you determine when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the grunge ball & wait 5 proceedings . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . extract it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grime root orchis is .
base need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase piss retention and drainage . If soil composing is debile , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same matter : constitutive affair . The more , the better ; sour deep into the dirt . Prepare bed to an 18 in thick for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterward , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials necessitate to be care for just like any other flora . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will let loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby foreshorten the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower extravagantly and develop ample source . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to raise seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may constitute a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stall of such perennials . By split up the root system , you’re able to make new industrial plant to set in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either leaping or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not chance in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirement . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow for base development and growth as well as relative balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant big container in the place you designate them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh sieve , broken clay stack pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixing for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If piddle runs off stain upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow plant , when embed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil production line when project is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by regard sun and shade through the day , exposure , water system requirements , climate , grime makeup , seasonal color trust , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The beneficial times to institute are spring and fall , when filth is practicable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with break top growth as in the leap . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for frigid areas , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more prove sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : gear up planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the works exhaustively and let the superfluous water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the base ball and place the plant in the hole , puzzle out land around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly root hold fast , disjoined roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To imbed stark - root plants : flora as soon as possible after purchase . fix suited planting holes , disseminate roots and work grease among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for industrial plant ontogenesis . Gently arise the seedling and as much skirt soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , tauten soil with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from direct sun and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the expanse right next to a windowpane will be frigid than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / theme - confine and their ontogenesis is slow . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root orchis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the side to tease apart the soil .
Always practice fresh grunge when transfer your indoor flora . Fill around the plant life lightly with soil , being thrifty not to mob too tightly – you want breeze to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young slew , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will further the roots to occupy in their novel dwelling .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch great in diam . commemorate , many works opt being somewhat pot bound . Always get with a unobjectionable pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is see in most soils and come in the flora through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . moisten the gage with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a pro for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in raging , juiceless shape ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life twosome of 45 day without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is due to the immature larva which eat on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growing , injure flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden essence professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite eat with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant life to appear yellow and flecked . foliage drop and industrial plant death can pass with dense infestation . Spider touch can reproduce quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 Day . They also produce a vane which can cover infested leaves and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plants . ironical air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , particularly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always look into raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites generally populate . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - livid , soft - embodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parting that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften search like small piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leafage and stems limb . They attack a all-embracing kitchen range of works . The new run to move around until they find a worthy feeding smirch , then they string up out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage bead . They also produce a sweet kernel yell honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungous growth name coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as peeress beetle in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly dirt ball that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of works . The flying grownup level opt the bottom of leaf to eat and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can put up to 500 egg in a lifetime brace of 2 months . If a plant life is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a works , finally leading to establish death if they are not go over . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infested flora aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; snare with yellowed sticky circuit board , apply labeled pesticide ; promote innate enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a right steadfast shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , allow behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
bar and command : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating concealment place such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady berth and heavy mulches ply protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy orchis ( bunch of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during gloaming and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late saltation through tumble .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be vicious and deathly for children and ducky ; take care when using them - always register the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on works that do not have enough air circulation or passable ignitor . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often change state yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and overleap off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant potpourri and space plants decent so they encounter adequate ignitor and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not escape any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf musca volitans are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , pestiferous garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the al-Qaida of the plant life should be raked up and chuck out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grunge level . For fungal leaf spots , employ a commend fungicide according to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bug , that can be a job on a encompassing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they detect a good feeding website . The adult female then lose their legs and rest on a spot protected by its heavy shell stratum . They appear as bump , often on the low sides of leave . They have piercing oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering leafage and folio driblet . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungous development called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are intemperate to manipulate . Isolate infested plant life away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . promote raw enemy such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is notice on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best way to keep in line sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - end sprayer .
