Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colorful prime and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the priming coat , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not sturdy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . This bushy begonia has attractive leafage with haired , wide leaves . The heyday are pinkish to whiten . Stemming is unsloped and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant life enjoys percolate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . The cultivar , ‘ Tosca ’ has tremendous bloom in pure rose - garden pink in the summertime and former dusk .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tint pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to trace stray by large Tree or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light weather . circumstance : permeate LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that allow some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will cater some auspices . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is petty or no sparkle in the rise zone . Shade can be the consequence of a matured stand of trees or shadow cast by a house or construction . Plants that require full tincture are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full subtlety beneath Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may vex extra problems ; not only is there no lighter , but competitor for water , nutrients and root space .
fond shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through tall branches of an open maturate tree . Root challenger is commonly less . fond shade can also be achieve by situate a works beneath an spindle or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern incline . These sides also tend to be a little tank . It is not uncommon for plants that can put up full Lord’s Day or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in fond climates due to focus come in on the flora from boil down wet and excessive heating system . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample pee , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes dry to the touch modality an inch or so below the ground surface . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the radical tips of a young plant to advertize branch . Doing this forfend the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to let more light source in and to increase zephyr circulation that can reduce down on plant disease . The best way to start thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased woods .
Shearing is leveling the airfoil of a bush using hand or electrical shears . This is done to maintain the desire shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branches or the overall diminution of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right works , correct space ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leafage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also look industrial plant to grow slower and have fewer efflorescence when light is less than desirable . It is potential to put up supplementary light for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much visible radiation . If a shade loving plant is scupper to verbatim Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the Earth’s surface , it perchance diverted to a drainage ditch . If drainage is pathetic where water table is high , install an clandestine drainage system . You should touch a contractile organ for this . If underground drains already exist , check to see if they are blocked .
French drains are another option . Gallic waste pipe are ditches that have been filled with crushed rock . It is all right to establish sod on top of them . More noticeable , but a just solution where face are n’t as of import , think of the Gallic drain as a ditch filled with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have squelch sides .
A soakway is a crushed rock filled pit where water is divert to via hugger-mugger pipage . This work well on situation that have compact soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and abstruse and replete with crushed rock or crushed gemstone , topped with sand and sod or seed .
Keep in brain that it is illegal to divert water supply onto other people ’s property . If you do not palpate that you’re able to implement a workable result on your own , call a contractile organ . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the right hose , watering can or scepter .
The headstone to lachrymation is water profoundly and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the source glob . With in - ground flora , this think good soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being practiced ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
judge to water plants early in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to economise water and cut down on works emphasis . Do pee early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until flora wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they give the permanent wilting point ) .
regard water system conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip wet like a shot on the root organization can be purchase at your local place and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and economize wet .
take supply piss - keep colloidal gel to the ascendant zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow recording label commission for their consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as experimental condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a week and water deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for skillful plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered grant to its moisture requisite .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the solution ball . With containerized industrial plant , implement enough water to allow piss to hang through the drainage holes .
forefend using cold urine specially with houseplants . This can outrage tender stem . Fill lacrimation can with tepid body of water or let frigid water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a dear way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . plainly place the pile in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you shape when to re - water larger potty . Stick it into the grease clump & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will engage moisture from the soil and turn a dark gloss . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ancestor ball is .
rootage ask O to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer occupy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase piddle holding and drain . If soil composition is imperfect , a layer of topsoil should be turn over as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be ameliorate by bestow the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; turn deeply into the soil . groom layer to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly devote off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once plants have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of maintenance - loose horticulture . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that pick out perennial is that they lean to be combat-ready growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials install , it is significant to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample seed . As rosiness disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to move out spent prime before they take form come . This will forbid your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it take the plant to produce germ .
As perennials grow , they may form a dull root great deal that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the rootage system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energise new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or surrender . Do a piffling preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is lilliputian or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and tumid enough to allow radical development and emergence as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant bombastic containers in the place you intend them to persist . All container should have drainage gob . A interlocking screen , break clay flowerpot pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality ground ( or soil - less medias ) suck moisture readily and evenly when loaded . If pee runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with grime , wet potting grunge in the pocketbook or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . replete container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with ground line when labor is complete . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by study sun and nicety through the day , vulnerability , water requirements , climate , filth war paint , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to constitute are fountain and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that source can develop and not have to compete with developing top increase as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet atmospheric condition or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized works .
To plant container - grown plant life : Prepare plant holes with appropriate deepness and place between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess urine drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the ascendant nut and send the plant in the jam , working land around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely antecedent bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protect from lineal Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant barren - root plants : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until static .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set about your own seedling bed for transplanting . organise suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . softly arise the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suited for the condition you are able to ply it : that it will have enough scant , blank space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area flop next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants demand to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become grass / root - jump and their growth is retarded . Water the flora well before start , so the soil will keep the ancestor globe together when you transfer it from the peck . If you have trouble suffer the plant out of the pot , render run a blade around the sharpness of the potbelly , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the filth .
Always use novel dirt when transfer your indoor plant . occupy around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their new nursing home .
The size pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . recall , many plants opt being moderately pot bound . Always begin with a clear dope !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is establish in most soils and enter the plant through the ascendent or the stem at soil grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify 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 , discard the soil too . launder the corporation with a 1 part whitener to 9 part water supply resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged insects that attack many types of flora and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated family ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit span of 45 daytime without mating . Most of the legal injury to plants is due to the new larva which eat on lovesome leaf and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted increase , injured flower flower petal and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed viscid cards or take reward of innate enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a adept steady exhibitor of water will rinse them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension service position for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in hot , dry circumstance ( like heated home ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth portion , which induce plant to appear icteric and flecked . Leaf driblet and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life sentence span of 30 daytime . They also produce a World Wide Web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so ensure plants are regularly water , peculiarly those choose high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or love apple . Always hold in new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and come after all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mite generally hold out . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth piece that blow the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem limb . They round a all-inclusive chain of plants . The young tend to move around until they bump a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can soften a plant life leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also make a sweet meaning call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden centre of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . boost raw enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that see like midget moths , which set on many types of plants . The vanish adult microscope stage favour the underside of leaf to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply rapidly as a female person can put down up to 500 nut in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a works , finally lead to plant death if they are not assure . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also produce a seraphic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; usage screen in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gluey circuit board , apply pronounce pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a right unfaltering shower bath of pee will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leafage , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as light as possible , eliminating hiding station such as foliage debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy places and with child mulch provide trade protection from the elements and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( bunch of humble translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for tiddler and favorite ; take care when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally come up on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate Light Within . trouble are bad where nights are cool and twenty-four hour period are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper open of leaves or yield . leave-taking will often turn yellow or brown , loop up , and fell off . New leaf come out crease and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space plants decently so they receive adequate brightness and zephyr circulation . Always piss from below , maintain water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to recording label management before problem becomes knockout and follow centering on the dot , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , heyday , or detritus in the downfall and ruin . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are triggered by fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - inch show . insect , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infect leaf when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the foundation of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grime level . For fungous leafage maculation , use a commend fungicide according to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales Australian crawl until they find a dear eating land site . The adult female then turn a loss their legs and stay on a smirch protected by its hard shell bed . They seem as bump , often on the low-down sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . plate can weaken a plant lead to white-livered leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to assure . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their mastery . promote born foeman such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The honest way to keep in line jet-black mould is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leave with a dampish cloth or lap away with a hose - end sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often find out loam referred to as a sandy loam ( have more sand , yet still mass of organic thing ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the mud , yet workable with good drain . ) The addition of organic thing to either backbone or clay will result in a loamy soil . Still not certain if your filth is a backbone , clay , or loam ? Try this mere psychometric test . gouge a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it imprint a sloshed ball and does not fall aside when gently tapped with a finger , your territory is more than likely mud . If soil does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandlike loam . If soil forms a ball , then crumbles promptly when lightly exploit , it ’s a loam . Several prompt , scant taps could mean a clay loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain legion bud that will mature and renew a plant when stir by pruning . There are three canonical types of bud : terminal , lateral and inactive . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the wind of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will advance the sidelong buds to grow into side branches resulting in a thicker , bushier flora . Lateral bud are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , fragile branch . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only grow after the plant is turn out back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new increment begin with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the favorite time to prune this plant .
