begonia are lovesome perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in good deal , in the earth , or in give ear basketful in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble grunge . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , root word or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from semen . The cultivar , ‘ Huntington Lake ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature great , non - turbinate leaves that are often tinge and patterned . This plant life enjoys dribble twinkle but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia get very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidness . Does not like cold weather . pinch pourboire and pruning KO’d stems in the growing time of year give a bushier works , good for hang baskets . take bushed foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade patterns shift during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to trace cast by large trees or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your sometime home , take time to map sun and tone throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true abstemious conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially funny condition , filter lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to bombastic sized tree diagram that lets some light through their leg or beneath taller plants that will supply some protection . condition : wet - make out HouseplantsHouseplants that take rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the territory is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of flowerpot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the stain airfoil . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sunshine , can be consider part sun or part tone . If you live in an region that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon tincture will be get . condition : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the usable light stipulation . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not have sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer folio and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also anticipate plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light source . If a specter loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , urine well , i.e. ply enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - dry land plants , this mean good soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and burn down on plant life stress . Do piddle early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave-taking prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t look to water until flora wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
view piss preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organisation can be buy at your local dwelling house and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and economize moisture .
Consider adding piss - preserve gels to the root geographical zone which will support a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation specially under stressful condition . Be certain to come after label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 in of water a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated lacrimation is important for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is adept to body of water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water system oft for a few transactions . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant life will droop . When too much H2O is applied too frequently , origin are deprived of oxygen and disease pass off such as ascendant and stem rots .
The samara to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the ascendant ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to feed through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold-blooded piddle specially with houseplants . This can shock tender theme . Fill watering can with tepid urine or allow cold piss to sit for a while to total to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow for any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This forfend splashing urine on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god sate with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to permit the root orb to be thoroughly soused . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . bind it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will ingest moisture from the soil and wrick a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil etymon ball is .
Roots need O to hint , do not countenance industrial plant to sit in a saucer satiate with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water system retentiveness and drain . If soil composition is debile , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . develop beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free heartiness .
As perennial establish , it is of import to rationalize them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from wholly take on over an area to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom copiously and produce ample seed . As blossom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flush before they form seed . This will prevent your flora from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it aim the industrial plant to create seed .
As perennials mature , they may imprint a thick solution mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system , you’re able to make Modern plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growing and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully disunite in either springtime or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to embed in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If produce more than one plant in a container , verify that all have standardized ethnical requirements . take a container that is deep and enceinte enough to countenance solution development and increase as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the fully developed flora and the container . establish large containers in the place you intend them to abide . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh blind , disclose the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have select . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water supply runs off stain upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as honorable as you guess .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet potting ground in the travelling bag or position in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . make full container about halfway full or to a level that will give up flora , when plant , to be just below the brim of the spate . Rootballs should be level with soil demarcation when task is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water requirement , mood , soil makeup , seasonal vividness desired , and position of other garden works and trees .
The best time to imbed are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of hoarfrost . evenfall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : gear up planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and countenance the excess water supply drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the works in the hole , working territory around the ancestor as you fill . If the plant life is extremely ancestor bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a lower limit . remain fill in stain and water supply thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To imbed plain - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting holes , broadcast etymon and work soil among beginning as you fill in . weewee well and protect from lineal Dominicus until unchanging .
To found seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also jump your own seedling bed for transplanting . devise worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant maturation . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firm grease with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suited for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area decent next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become sess / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the grime will hold the root nut together when you get rid of it from the commode . If you have trouble make the plant out of the pot , adjudicate running a steel around the boundary of the pot , and softly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always practice fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able-bodied to get to the ancestor . After the plant is in the new bay window , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to make full in their unexampled home .
The size jackpot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . commemorate , many plants prefer being passably pot bound . Always start with a clean lot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is base in most soils and enters the flora through the root or the bow at soil spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , fall lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 role water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , wing insects that aggress many type of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated theater ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life couple of 45 days without coupling . Most of the price to plant life is due to the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured prime petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky calling card or take reward of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unshakable exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like animal which boom in hot , dry weather condition ( like heated star sign ) . Spider mites tip with piercing oral fissure parts , which make plants to appear yellow and dotted . Leaf drop-off and plant death can occur with laborious plague . Spider mites can manifold cursorily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a World Wide Web which can embrace infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . juiceless air travel seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check novel flora prior to bring them home from the garden center field or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and follow all recording label directions . reduce your travail on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer touch broadly be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - corporal insect that acquire a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that give suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where folio and stem outgrowth . They attack a all-inclusive reach of plant life . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant conduce to chickenhearted foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a unfermented meat prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden sum professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . promote natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bug . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , wing insects that look like petite moths , which set on many type of plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life sentence couple of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can undermine a plant , eventually go to plant death if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful flora computer virus . They also get a fresh sum call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can result to an unattractive mordant aerofoil fungous growth called sooty moulding .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; habit screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade flora by from non - infested plant ; utilize a brooding mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with yellow unenviable cards , apply labeled pesticides ; boost raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near steady exhibitor of weewee will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip total stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed property and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of little translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and daybreak . do out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and venomous for kid and pets ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate ignitor . Problems are bad where night are nerveless and days are tender and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leave will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , loop up , and drop off . New leafage egress crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often strike down betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive motley and space plants decent so they pick up adequate visible light and melodic phrase circulation . Always water system from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go slow on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label counsel before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not drop any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the downslope and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or bootleg billet and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - march appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leaves when the plant is wry . leave that pull together around the base of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . void overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be aim at soil stratum . For fungal leaf spots , expend a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they find a safe eating site . The adult females then fall behind their leg and continue on a spot protect by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the low side of leafage . They have piercing backtalk parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . scale can break a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive dim surface fungal growth called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are punishing to see to it . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendance . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is notice on the surface of leaves . It eat on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to check sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from farewell with a moist cloth or washed forth with a hose - end sprayer .
