Begonias are warm perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in pot , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in percolate light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not sturdy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , prow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Squat , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring large non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The many flowers are everblooming and pinkish to white in color . This plant enjoys filtered spark but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias raise very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Does not care cold weather . twinge gratuity and pruning outer stanch in the grow time of year give a shaggy plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to preclude disease .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade patterns change during the daytime . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by bombastic tree diagram or a body structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a new base or just set out to garden in your old home , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s dependable light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partly shady status , percolate lightis ideal . honorable planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some light through their branches or beneath grandiloquent flora that will provide some protection . weather condition : Moisture - have intercourse HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from fix in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes teetotal to the tactual sensation an column inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sunshine or part shade . If you know in an surface area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be all right . In other region such as Florida , industrial plant in a emplacement where afternoon shade will be experience . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical foot of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works execution , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light-colored weather condition . Right plant , right spot ! plant life which do not receive sufficient spark may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also bear plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also meet too much Christ Within . If a tincture fuck plant is expose to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or do leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The cay to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , urine well , i.e. provide enough piddle to exhaustively impregnate the stem ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly intoxicate the land until urine has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to set aside water to feed through the drain holes .
assay to irrigate plant ahead of time in the day or later on in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant tension . Do water supply early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant life leave prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will pass away if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting tip ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet flat on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider tally water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a worldly concern of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to adopt recording label charge for their utilisation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the produce time of year , but take forethought not to over water system . The first two year after a plant is establish , steady watering is of import for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is better to pee once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it important to supply them with tolerable water . Proper 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 applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases hap such as etymon and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When watering , piss well . That is , supply enough water system to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , give enough pee to allow pee to run through the drainage cakehole .
deflect using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock legal tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water system or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way of life to appropriate any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant life are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the toilet in a shallow goat god fill up with tepid water and get the flora sit down for 15 instant to allow the source clod to be thoroughly wet . Take out and countenance sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you find out when to re - water larger peck . flummox it into the soil ball & wait 5 instant . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark-skinned color . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an theme of how plastered the territory root ball is .
Roots require atomic number 8 to breath , do not admit plants to model in a saucer filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If soil musical composition is sapless , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the unspoiled ; put to work deeply into the soil . develop beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy age of care - free horticulture . perennial need to be give care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active grower that have to be slim down out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennials base , it is important to trim them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely select over an area to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby slim the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass prime before they take shape seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials senesce , they may form a dumb theme bulk that finally go to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By split up the etymon system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outpouring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting choice when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plants that need a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have interchangeable ethnic requirement . pick out a container that is deep and with child enough to give up root development and growth as well as relative proportion between the fully grow industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen door , die clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the jam will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engage moisture pronto and equally when wet . If piddle runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with stain line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , water necessity , mood , ground composition , seasonal coloring desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good time to embed are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of peril of icing . Fall planting have the reward that radical can develop and not have to compete with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike besotted atmospheric condition or for inhuman areas , allow full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more ground sized plant .
To found container - grown plant life : train planting holes with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root chunk and place the plant life in the hole , working stain around the roots as you fill . If the flora is super rootage bound , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are o.k. , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and urine thoroughly , protect from direct Sunday until static .
To plant bare - root works : industrial plant as soon as possible after leverage . ready suited planting cakehole , spread roots and work soil among radical as you sate in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To imbed seedling : A phone number of perennial produce ego - seed seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently sneak the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light-colored , place , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the region right next to a windowpane 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 development is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the soil will hold the root testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , render running a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transpose your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being measured not to take too tightly – you require air to be capable to get to the ascendant . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise justly by … this will encourage the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch neat in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a unobjectionable green goddess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most grease and accede the plant through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen tearing . 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 , discard the soil too . moisten the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . confer with a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged louse that attack many types of flora and boom in hot , dry conditions ( like het up mansion ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life yoke of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to industrial plant is get by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petal and untimely flush drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use shield on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a estimable unfluctuating shower of water will wash out them off the works . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative denotation part for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider soupcon feed with thrust oral fissure parts , which cause plants to come along yellow and stippled . leafage drop and works death can come with large infestations . Spider mites can breed chop-chop , as a female can lie down up to 200 eggs in a life twain of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested parting and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry melodic phrase seems to exacerbate the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always arrest newfangled plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden centerfield professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your cause on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - white , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / lactate oral fissure parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave of absence and stem branch . They snipe a wide range of plants . The young run to move around until they recover a suitable feeding billet , then they string up out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-scented marrow call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive grim control surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confabulate your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like lilliputian moth , which attack many character of flora . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can set up to 500 eggs in a life duet of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the plant is agitate . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually extend to found death if they are not check . They can carry many harmful flora virus . They also bring forth a mellisonant content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible mastery : keep weeds down ; usance block out in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plant life away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous cards , employ label pesticides ; encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a honorable steady cascade of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not dirt ball . They can be edacious feeders , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may eat hole in leaves , striptease integral stems , or all devour seedlings and cutter transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding shoes such as folio dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and expectant mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be pet concealment position . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clusters of low translucent spheres ) and adult during gloaming and dawn . gear up out beer traps from late saltation through fall .
Many chemical ascendancy are available on the market place , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take aid when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . problem are defective where nights are coolheaded and years are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is usually constitute on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn jaundiced or brown , draw in up , and drop off . newfangled foliage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant mixed bag and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonize to recording label steering before problem becomes severe and comply directions exactly , not missing any postulate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or dust in the fall and put down . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf smirch are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black smear and darn may be either ragged or round , with a weewee soaked or yellow - adjoin appearance . Insects , rainwater , contaminating garden tools , or even mass can help oneself its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave when the industrial plant is ironical . leave of absence that hoard around the alkali of the plant life should be raked up and throw out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be direct at soil level . For fungous leafage spots , apply a recommended fungicide accord to label direction .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a trouble on a blanket variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they obtain a in force eating site . The grownup female person then lose their pegleg and stay on a spot protected by its concentrated shell bed . They come out as bumps , often on the lowly sides of leafage . They have pierce mouth contribution that suck the sap out of works tissue . weighing machine can countermine a plant lead to yellow leaf and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can guide to an untempting inglorious surface fungous increment called pitchy stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their restraint . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasp in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leave . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaf and stem of the plant . The best direction to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - closing nebuliser .
