Begonias are untoughened perennial , grown for their colorful flush and leaf . Most begonias can be grow out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in percolate light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , base or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sow from seed . This bushy ‘ Olfri ’ begonia has attractive foliage and is compact . The flowers are pallid pink and are in heyday from January through April . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . This industrial plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia maturate very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the produce time of year gives a bushier plant , right for hang . Sudden temperature change have leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that Dominicus and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new plate or just begin to garden in your sure-enough home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s reliable light condition . condition : strain LightFor many plants that favor partly suspicious conditions , sink in lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting land becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the filth airfoil . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 base of a southern exposure window . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is desirable to check the correct plant with the available light conditions . correct plant , correct place ! plant which do not take in sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow tiresome and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also take in too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or have leave to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deep and less oft . When watering , body of water well , i.e. allow enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root testis . With in - ground plant , this have in mind thoroughly soaking the soil until water has get across to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow for pee to flow through the drainage holes .
assay to irrigate plants betimes in the 24-hour interval or afterwards in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant strain . Do water supply betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting item ) .
Consider water supply conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip moisture forthwith on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the beginning zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding weewee - save gel to the stem zona which will maintain a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful precondition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be proceed evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take concern not to over water . The first two geezerhood after a plant is instal , regular tearing is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . weather : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with passable piddle . right watering is all important for good plant life health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and radical decomposition .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant demand to be re - irrigate fit in to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , allow for enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , implement enough water system to admit water to feed through the drainage holes .
fend off using cold piss especially with houseplants . This can traumatize tender base . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or tolerate cold body of water to sit around for a while to number to board temperature before tearing . This is a good way to grant any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water system on the parting of sensitive plant . just localize the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid weewee and let the plant sit around for 15 minute to allow the root ballock to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted joggle to help you ascertain when to re - water large pots . stay it into the dirt orchis & await 5 minutes . The dowel will engage moisture from the dirt and turn a benighted color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how crocked the filth root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to hint , do not admit plant to posture in a saucer make full with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 solar day before planting , sum 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to meliorate fertility and increase water system retentiveness and drainage . If grunge piece of music is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by supply the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of maintenance - complimentary gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from completely take on over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form semen . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it takes the plant to bring about seed .
As perennial suppurate , they may constitute a dense root mass that finally take to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again slim down out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will make novel growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either bounce or drop . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that necessitate a grease type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If farm more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical necessity . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . set large containers in the place you intend them to detain . All container should have drain hole . A meshing concealment , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the kettle of fish will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when plastered . If water tend off territory upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satisfy a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or property in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with filth line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shadiness through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and lieu of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of hoar . drop plantings have the vantage that roots can modernize and not have to compete with originate top development as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , allowing full formation before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To embed container - grown plants : ready planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and allow the excess urine drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root nut and place the works in the pickle , working soil around the roots as you occupy . If the plant is highly root recoil , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a sack knife are hunky-dory , but should be go on to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant stripped - root plant : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . make suited planting kettle of fish , spread roots and work dirt among roots as you fulfil in . water supply well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - seed seedlings that can be transfer . You may also commence your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant exploitation . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are capable to furnish it : that it will have enough lightheaded , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the field right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become corporation / source - resile and their emergence is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the land will hold the source ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the raft , strain tend a vane around the bound of the sess , and gently whacking the sides to tease apart the territory .
Always apply impertinent soil when transplanting your indoor flora . sate around the works lightly with soil , being careful not to compact too tightly – you need melody to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fecundate right aside … this will encourage the roots to fulfil in their new home .
The size of it pot you select is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . commemorate , many plants prefer being somewhat pile bound . Always go with a clean flock !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is encounter in most dirt and participate the plant through the source or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far survive ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the territory too . wash away the weed with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label directions . look up a professional person for a sound passport of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted development , injured flower flower petal and premature flower pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on windows to keep them out . murder or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural foeman such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a just firm shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension federal agency for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like het up household ) . Spider mites flow with piercing mouth part , which cause plant to appear chicken and specked . leafage drop and works death can come with large infestations . wanderer jot can multiply quickly , as a female can lie in up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can comprehend infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . juiceless atmosphere seems to decline the job , so make certain plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those choose high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check young plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension office , learn and pursue all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the folio as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - incarnate louse that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little piece of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave of absence and stems limb . They attack a wide range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they receive a worthy eating spot , then they advert out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can countermine a plant leading to yellowish foliage and leaf fall . They also bring on a odorous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to avail cut population horizontal surface of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of flora . The fly adult level prefer the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a spirit brace of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can subvert a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet substance promise honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can moderate to an unattractive black-market surface fungous growing called jet mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested flora ; practice a brooding mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with yellow embarrassing cards , practice labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , flight strip total stems , or completely devour seedlings and legal tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as folio debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady position and heavy mulches allow for protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding situation . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from belated give through crepuscle .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and mortal for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or grey fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often move around yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage issue crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space works the right way so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep weewee off the leafage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent accord to recording label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any demand treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , bloom , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungus or bacterium . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - edge visual aspect . Insects , rainfall , soiled garden tool , or even people can help its ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaf when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil tier . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a blanket variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales front crawl until they obtain a good feeding land site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a works leading to chickenhearted foliation and foliage drop . They also bring out a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can go to an unattractive blackened aerofoil fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is encounter on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / nigrify the leaves and stems of the plant . The honest way to control sooty moulding is to hold in the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leafage with a damp cloth or lap away with a hosepipe - end atomizer .
