Begonias are cranky perennials , grown for their colorful peak and leaf . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in good deal , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root word or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seeded player . ( Plant width : leave alone 6 to 12 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Ruth Pease ’ grow from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , sport large , liquid , lobed leave-taking . The flowers are pink and bloom in leap . This plant enjoys permeate igniter but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer halt in the growing season yield a bushier plant life , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadow shed by large Tree or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a new family or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s true light condition . experimental condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose part shady conditions , filter lightis nonpareil . salutary planting sites are under a mid to expectant sized tree that lets some luminosity through their branches or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some protection . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is fiddling or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the event of a mature stand of Tree or shadows cast by a home or building . Plants that require full specter are usually susceptible to erythema solare . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problem ; not only is there no Christ Within , but competition for water , nutrient and root quad .
Partial shademeans that an arena receives filtered light , often through magniloquent branches of an open growing tree . Root competition is ordinarily less . fond nuance can also be attain by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These sides also tend to be a small cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can stand full sun or some Dominicus in cooler mood to require some shade in warmer climate due to tension placed on the flora from reduced moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask sizable water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . weather : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often sunup sunlight , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be regard part sun or part tincture . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant carrying out , it is desirable to match the right plant with the usable light conditions . Right flora , right place ! Plants which do not have sufficient light may become pale in color , have few folio and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow dull and have fewer flush when light is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for subsidiary light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Light Within . If a spectre loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to watering is water supply deeply and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - priming plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow pee to flow through the drainage holes .
stress to irrigate plants ahead of time in the twenty-four hour period or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and trim down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant folio prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to H2O until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting compass point ) .
believe pee preservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden plaza . Mulches can importantly cool down the stem zone and conserve wet .
Consider add water - salvage gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful stipulation . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as term require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water system a week during the uprise season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two age after a flora is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is dear to water once a week and body of water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with enough water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is lend oneself too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The tonality to lacrimation is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its wet prerequisite .
When watering , urine well . That is , allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the theme ball . With containerized flora , use enough water to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid weewee or grant cold water system to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to countenance any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are easily irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaves of sensitive plants . merely send the good deal in a shallow goat god filled with tepid weewee and allow the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the source ball to be thoroughly soused . Take out and leave sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to aid you square off when to re - water large pot . stand by it into the ground ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn over a sinister color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the ground root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to intimation , do not permit plants to seat in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of cured manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase body of water retention and drain . If dirt piece of music is weak , a layer of topsoil should be take as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . ready bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly give off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once plant have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor yr of maintenance - costless gardening . Perennials want to be worry for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active grower that have to be thinned out now and again or they will let loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from totally taking over an arena to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they shape seed . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vitality it takes the plant to farm source .
As perennial ripen , they may form a dense base mickle that eventually direct to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stall of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make Modern plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either saltation or twilight . Do a niggling prep ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that ask a soil type not discover in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and magnanimous enough to countenance root developing and growth as well as relative equipoise between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter set over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting stain you pick out should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) steep moisture readily and evenly when pissed . If water campaign off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will allow for plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil demarcation when labor is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by regard sun and shade through the day , photo , water requirements , mood , filth makeup , seasonal coloring desired , and position of other garden plant and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to plant are outpouring and pin , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . dip plantings have the advantage that tooth root can develop and not have to contend with developing top emergence as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet experimental condition or for cold areas , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more institute sized plant .
To plant container - develop flora : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and rent the excess pee waste pipe before carefully slay from the container . Carefully loose the base ball and post the flora in the hole , working soil around the tooth root as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , separate root with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . keep fill in soil and water exhaustively , protect from direct Dominicus until unchanging .
To set bare - root plants : plant life as soon as possible after leverage . ready suitable planting fix , spread root and ferment soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To embed seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sow in seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much skirt dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from verbatim Sunday and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the industrial plant well before begin , so the ground will hold the theme formal together when you absent it from the pot . If you have problem getting the plant out of the pot , render running a leaf blade around the edge of the mass , and mildly whop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always utilise overbold stain when transplanting your indoor plant . sate around the industrial plant softly with grease , being careful not to compact too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to fill in their fresh home .
The sizing tidy sum you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in dandy in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being middling sight stick to . Always originate with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the prow at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far pass ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the mess with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts body of water solvent . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that round many types of industrial plant and thrive in live , dry consideration ( like heated up house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to flora is due to the new larvae which feed on warm leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to distorted growing , injured prime petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gummy calling card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing lip part , which cause flora to appear yellowed and stippled . Leaf cliff and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can manifold quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life story brace of 30 day . They also grow a web which can cover infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and take away infested plants . Dry aura seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain works are regularly watered , especially those preferring high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or love apple . Always check newfangled plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve center professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , read and watch over all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer pinch in the main live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - corporate insect that raise a waxy powdery traverse . They have piercing / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stem subdivision . They attack a wide compass of works . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding patch , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellowish foliage and folio drop . They also raise a sweet heart and soul called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark Earth’s surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further natural enemy such as peeress mallet in the garden to serve slim down population stratum of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying adult level prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can counteract a plant , eventually lead to embed dying if they are not tick . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring about a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive contraband surface fungous ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; take away infested plant away from non - infested plant ; employ a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous card , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of water supply will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat on just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may eat holes in farewell , strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedling and supply ship transplants , go forth behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and controller : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage detritus , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulches leave protective covering from the elements and can be favorite concealment place . In the spring , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent welkin ) and adults during dusk and break of the day . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery , but can be venomous and deadly for small fry and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is ordinarily witness on the upper surface of leafage or fruit . Leaves will often twist yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off off . New foliage come out crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they welcome passable igniter and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , save water off the leafage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides consort to recording label directions before job becomes grievous and fall out direction exactly , not missing any expect treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flowers , or debris in the declivity and demolish . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a urine soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help oneself its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaf when the plant is dry . parting that collect around the foundation of the works should be rake up and disposed of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be maneuver at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide diverseness of flora - indoor and outside . vernal scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and rest on a spot protected by its punishing shell layer . They seem as bump , often on the downcast sides of leaf . They have piercing mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can subvert a plant head to xanthous leaf and leaf free fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dark surface fungous emergence call pitchy moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaf and stems of the plant . The best way to ascertain sooty mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leafage with a damp material or wash aside with a hose - goal sprayer .
