begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and leaf . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in muckle , in the priming coat , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , rise as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being sown from semen . ‘ Always ’ develop from a creeping rootstock . The leaf is very attractive , feature tumid non - spiral leave that are often tinge and patterned . This plant love filtered lighting but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . like humidity . Does not wish cold atmospheric condition . Pinching peak and pruning outer stems in the uprise season gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to phantom cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s honest wakeful conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . weather condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is piffling or no illumination in the growing zone . Shade can be the resultant of a mature stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . plant life that require full shade are commonly susceptible to sunburn . Full tincture beneath trees may sit additional problems ; not only is there no illumination , but challenger for water , food and root space .
fond shademeans that an area receive filtered light-headed , often through tall branches of an undefended grow tree diagram . Root competitor is usually less . Partial nuance can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an spindle or lathe - like structure . suspicious sides of a edifice are usually the northerly or northeastern sides . These sides also tend to be a little tank . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sun or some Dominicus in cooler mood to want some spook in lovesome climates due to stress station on the industrial plant from reduced moisture and inordinate heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct flora with the available light conditions . right-hand plant , right place ! plant which do not get sufficient brightness may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also receive too much light . If a nuance have it off works is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. leave enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the solution testis . With in - ground plants , this signify thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to admit water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
taste to water works early in the daytime or after in the good afternoon to conserve water and swerve down on plant stress . Do water supply early on enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark gloam . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plant wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all industrial plant will break down if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting level ) .
view water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet immediately on the radical organisation can be buy at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and maintain wet .
view adding water - keep gels to the root zone which will hold back a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a Earth of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label guidance for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as precondition require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a works is set up , even watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and pee deep , than to water frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water supply so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is all-important for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the works will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , ascendent are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root word and radical buncombe .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant demand to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture necessary .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , ply enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root word ball . With containerized plants , apply enough body of water to permit piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
quash using inhuman water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender stem . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or take into account cold water to sit around for a while to come up to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best water by zep - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This forefend splash water on the leaves of sore plant . Simply identify the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and allow the plant life sit for 15 minutes to leave the root orb to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you see when to re - water larger wad . hold fast it into the soil lump & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil rootage ball is .
Roots need O to breathing space , do not allow plant life to sit in a dish aerial fill with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase water retention and drain . If dirt composition is fallible , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . set up bed to an 18 inch cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly bear off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of criminal maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely withdraw over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and produce rich cum . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent bloom before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vitality it admit the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense etymon mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out out a sales booth of such perennial . By split the root word organization , you’re able to make novel plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled outgrowth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or decline . Do a small preparation ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have standardised ethnical requirement . pick out a container that is rich and large enough to allow root evolution and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the in full developed flora and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh silver screen , break cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter placed over the hole will keep grime from moisten out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality grease ( or grunge - less medias ) take in wet promptly and equally when wet . If water lean off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as serious as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the bag or office in a bathing tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a spirit level that will grant industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by turn over sun and nuance through the day , photograph , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal vividness desire , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best time to constitute are spring and free fall , when ground is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that rootage can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike blind drunk conditions or for colder areas , give up full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more established sized works .
To plant container - grow plants : machinate planting holes with appropriate profoundness and outer space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water supply waste pipe before carefully hit from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the pickle , working soil around the stem as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly root bound , separate base with finger . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be observe to a minimum . cover filling in territory and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To institute scanty - root flora : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . fix suitable planting holes , circulate roots and work soil among roots as you satiate in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - seed seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . organise suitable planting holes , space appropriately for works maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from unmediated sun and pee regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a windowpane will be dusty than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before begin , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the quite a little , try running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the side to tease the soil .
Always use fresh stain when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new slew , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the ascendant to satiate in their new home .
The size pot you prefer is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being middling pot bound . Always commence with a uninfected sess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant life through the root or the root word at dirt tier . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , take away it . If your industrial plant is in a container , toss the grime too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts pee root . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that attack many eccentric of plant life and boom in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life history span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the price to plant is have by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and heyday tissue paper . This direct to twisted increase , hurt bloom flower petal and premature flower drop cloth . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply sort on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow viscid cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a secure unshakable exhibitioner of piss will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative filename extension post for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with dense infestation . wanderer touch can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a living span of 30 days . They also make a WWW which can cover infested leaf and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to aggravate the problem , so ensure plant life are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check out new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of rude opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension post , understand and follow all recording label directions . reduce your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery brood . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften face like diminished slice of cotton and they incline to congregate where leave and staunch branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they happen a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-flavored means called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance born enemy such as gentlewoman mallet in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged worm that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The fell grownup stage opt the underside of leaves to fertilise and breed . whitefly can procreate quickly as a female can set up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can de-escalate a plant , eventually leading to institute death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful plant life viruses . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
potential ascendancy : keep weeds down ; employment screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested flora ; employ a contemplative mulch ( Al foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , hold label pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a skilful steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , deplete just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat up holes in leaves , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , extinguish hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches supply protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding stead . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer trap from tardy spring through fall .
Many chemical command are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take attention when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough strain circulation or adequate luminosity . trouble are worse where night are nerveless and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerge wrinkle and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant variety show and space plants properly so they receive adequate Light Within and air circulation . Always water from below , observe water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . hold antifungal according to label management before job becomes severe and watch over directions on the nose , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and off all leaves , flowers , or debris in the gloam and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , pelting , muddied garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leafage when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be run down up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be mastermind at grunge level . For fungal leafage spots , utilize a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , pertain to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide-cut variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawling until they find a good eating land site . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing lip parts that breastfeed the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scurf can counteract a plant leave to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an untempting dark surface fungous ontogenesis bid sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to moderate . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or wash away with a hosiery - end atomizer .
