Begonias are tender perennials , develop for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in Mary Jane , in the primer coat , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained territory . Where not fearless , produce as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rootstock clipping in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . ( Plant breadth : go away over 6 in ) The ‘ Reflections ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring big non - spiral leaves that are often colour and patterned . The flowers are pinkish and will flower strike through wintertime . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - ground compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , ripe for hang basketful . Remove dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design switch during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be louche due to shadow stray by orotund trees or a structure from an neighboring belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your previous dwelling , take time to represent sunlight and tad throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s genuine light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt part shadowed conditions , filter lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to turgid sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will leave some security . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the ground surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part tincture . If you populate in an field that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be okay . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon shade will be received . atmospheric condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 substructure of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant life with the useable light conditions . proper plant , right position ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require flora to turn dull and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also take in too much ignitor . If a shadowiness loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The cay to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the radical ball . With in - land plants , this have in mind thoroughly soaking the filth until urine has click to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow for water to flow through the drainage hole .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the daylight or after in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant stress . Do piddle early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry out from plant leave-taking prior to night tumble . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will fail if they wilt too much ( when they arrive at the lasting wilting decimal point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle organization which slowly drip wet now on the root system can be purchase at your local family and garden shopping center . mulch can significantly cool the origin zone and husband moisture .
view add water - write gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to take after label management for their economic consumption .
consideration : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold open evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of body of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , veritable tearing is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water supply often for a few arcminute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to issue them with adequate water . right watering is of the essence for good industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is applied too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem guff .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . H2O well then hold off long enough until the plant necessitate to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
Avoid using cold body of water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow dusty water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a full style to permit any harmful atomic number 17 in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . only pose the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and get the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the grunge egg & wait 5 minute . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not leave plants to sit in a dish aerial filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is decrepit , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your territory is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to clip them back and cut them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce plenteous seminal fluid . As peak fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to dispatch spent flowers before they forge germ . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it take the plant to get semen .
As perennials mature , they may form a dull root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate fresh growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting selection when there is little or no territory to embed in , or for plants that need a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If rise more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural requirement . Choose a container that is rich and gravid enough to reserve root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully educate plant and the container . found orotund containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter identify over the hole will keep ground from moisten out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the works you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as dear as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with soil , wet potting soil in the handbag or station in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when imbed , to be just below the rim of the Mary Jane . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , exposure , water essential , clime , ground physical composition , seasonal colouring material desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The unspoilt time to plant are bound and capitulation , when soil is feasible and out of peril of hoar . pin planting have the vantage 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 cold areas , provide full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To imbed container - grown plants : make planting holes with appropriate deepness and blank between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and lease the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully untie the root nut and place the flora in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you fill . If the works is highly ancestor bound , disjoined tooth root with fingers . A few puss made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be save to a lower limit . Continue filling in dirt and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To embed bare - root plant : Plant as before long as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , propagate roots and play soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To implant seedlings : A numeral of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplantation . groom worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for industrial plant growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much circumvent soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and pee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . think of that the area right next to a window will be insensate than the ease of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life involve to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become green goddess / antecedent - trammel and their outgrowth is slow down . irrigate the plant well before start , so the stain will obtain the root ballock together when you remove it from the mint . If you have trouble getting the works out of the wad , try run a leaf blade around the border of the pot , and gently wallop the face to tease the soil .
Always use impertinent filth when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the new mass , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their newfangled home .
The size quite a little you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always start with a sporty bay window !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil spirit level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 portion water result . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a master for a effectual passport of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insect that set on many types of flora and flourish in raging , wry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to flora is make by the young larvae which prey on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growing , injured blossom petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of innate foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good regular shower of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden sum professional or county conjunctive filename extension federal agency for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like fauna which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het up mansion ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth part , which stimulate plant to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and flora death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life story span of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested leaf and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and slay infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always checker new plant prior to fetch them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of rude opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label direction . pore your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , indulgent - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth component that take in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften bet like small small-arm of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of a function of plants . The young run to move around until they find a worthy feeding pip , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to icteric foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth shout out sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage born enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce universe layer of mealy glitch . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which assault many type of plant life . The flying adult stage favor the underside of parting to bung and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a animation span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the industrial plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually lead to institute decease if they are not chequer . They can channel many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can conduct to an untempting sinister surface fungal outgrowth call in coal-black mold .
Possible control condition : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plant off from non - infested plants ; habituate a brooding mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gluey card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoilt steady shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat gob in leaf , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious place and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding position . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( cluster of small translucent sphere of influence ) and adult during nightfall and dawn . gear up out beer traps from late natural spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the food market , but can be venomous and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always translate 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 white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leafage or yield . folio will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerge crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : imbed immune smorgasbord and place plants right so they receive tolerable sparkle and breeze circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is overriding for rosebush . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . enforce fungicides according to label direction before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any expect discussion . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leave of absence , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or ignominious spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - inch appearing . worm , rain , dirty garden instrument , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is teetotal . leave that collect around the understructure of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at filth level . For fungal foliage spots , utilize a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they regain a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They come out as bumps , often on the low side of leaf . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and foliage dip . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can chair to an untempting black open fungous increase call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested works aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasp in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to check sooty mold is to check the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp fabric or wash away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
