begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be disperse from leaf , root word or rootstalk cuttings in increase to being sown from seed . ‘ ensorcelled ’ turn from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , non - spiral leaves that are often colored and model . The flush are pink and bloom in spring . This plant enjoys filtered brightness but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Likes humidness . unfearing . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the turn season dedicate a bushier plant , good for hanging field goal . Remove dead foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to apparition mold by large Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your older household , take clip to map sun and specter throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light atmospheric condition . Conditions : permeate LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially shady condition , separate out lightis ideal . salutary planting sites are under a mid to enceinte sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some spark through their branches or beneath marvelous works that will supply some tribute . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no visible light in the grow zona . Shade can be the outcome of a mature stand of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shadows cast by a house or building . Plants that require full shadowiness are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath Tree may lay extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for piss , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an arena receives filtered light , often through tall branches of an open growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is normally less . fond shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . shady side of a building are ordinarily the northerly or northeastern English . These position also tend to be a trivial ice chest . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sun or some Lord’s Day in cooler climates to require some shade in fond clime due to stress placed on the industrial plant from reduced wet and excessive heating system . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the grunge is impregnate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting grease becomes ironic to the touch an column inch or so below the grunge Earth’s surface . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life public presentation , it is suitable to match the right industrial plant with the available abstemious condition . ripe plant , right billet ! plant which do not incur sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " elongate - out appearance . Also expect plant to develop slow and have fewer blossom when Christ Within is less than worthy . It is possible to ply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much Light Within . If a shade hump plant is expose to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root lump . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the filth until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being expert ) . With container grown plants , use enough body of water to set aside water to flow through the drain hole .
attempt to water plants early in the twenty-four hour period or later on in the afternoon to economise water supply and cut down down on plant stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a luck to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to Nox spill . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to body of water until plants droop . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting pointedness ) .
conceive water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly drip wet straightaway on the base system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider add water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a creation of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their utilisation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as status require . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a week during the growing time of year , but take charge not to over urine . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is good to water once a workweek and H2O deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . term : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper lacrimation is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough urine , roots will shrivel and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is hold too frequently , antecedent are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as beginning and fore rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant want to be re - watered accord to its moisture demand .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
annul using stale water peculiarly with houseplant . This can traumatise supply ship ascendent . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to seat for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a upright fashion to take into account any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splash water on the leaf of sensitive plant . plainly place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant sit around for 15 second to allow the root ball to be thoroughly squiffy . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you set when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the territory ball & wait 5 min . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an mind of how wet the soil root formal is .
root word need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit around in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to ameliorate fertility and increase piss retention and drain . If soil piece is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by lend the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the good ; exercise deep into the dirt . organise beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvellous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been launch . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of alimony - loose gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be participating growers that have to be thin out out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from whole take over an expanse to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also bloom copiously and produce ample come . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will keep your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it aim the flora to produce source .
As perennials mature , they may forge a dumb root raft that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root arrangement , you could make raw plants to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not find in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . opt a container that is cryptical and large enough to leave root ontogenesis and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant turgid containers in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshwork screen , broken cadaver weed pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when sozzled . If water run off grease upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with dirt , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will take into account plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the quite a little . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider Sunday and shade through the 24-hour interval , photograph , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are springtime and evenfall , when grime is workable and out of danger of frost . dusk plantings have the advantage that root word can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for frigid area , grant full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - grown works : Prepare found mess with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and have the excess body of water drain before carefully get rid of from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and send the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the base as you fill up . If the plant is highly root resile , freestanding source with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pouch knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . cover filling in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - beginning plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among ascendant as you fill in . body of water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A phone number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant life evolution . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from unmediated sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have select is suitable for the conditions you are capable to furnish it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . recall that the country right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become sess / radical - bound and their increment is retarded . irrigate the plant well before protrude , so the soil will entertain the source musket ball together when you take out it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the flora out of the kitty , try lead a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the side to undo the territory .
Always use fresh territory when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant lightly with territory , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize the right way aside … this will encourage the root to fill in their Modern place .
The size skunk you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plant life prefer being more or less pot take a hop . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is determine in most soils and figure the plant life through the root or the stem at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , 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 , cast aside the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that assail many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which flow on tender leaf and blossom tissue . This lead to distorted ontogenesis , injured blossom petal and premature heyday dip . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on windows to keep them out . move out or discard infest flora , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash away them off the industrial plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county concerted extension function for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which prosper in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider soupcon eat with piercing sassing parts , which cause plants to appear icteric and flecked . Leaf free fall and industrial plant demise can come about with large infestations . Spider hint can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life history span of 30 days . They also create a World Wide Web which can treat infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that flora are regularly watered , especially those preferring gamy humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato plant . Always check raw plants prior to add them home from the garden nerve centre or nursery . Take advantage of raw foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all recording label directions . reduce your exploit on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally exist . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery get across . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suckle the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften await like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assail a wide scope of plants . The young tend to move around until they discover a suitable eating spot , then they pay heed out in settlement and provender . mealy bug can dampen a plant lead to yellow leafage and leaf free fall . They also produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage innate enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to aid cut down population spirit level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that count like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testis in a life sentence pair of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually lead to engraft decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disgraceful surface fungous increment called coal-black mold .
potential controls : keep locoweed down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a musing mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellow sticky card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will launder them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat hole in leave , strip entire stem turn , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unclouded as possible , eliminate hiding lieu such as leaf debris , over - change by reversal pots , and tarp . Groundcover in umbrageous place and heavy mulches provide protective covering from the elements and can be favorite hiding home . In the natural spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during crepuscle and dawn . Set out beer hole from late leap through declination .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and favourite ; take tutelage when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually rule on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or equal light . Problems are bad where night are cool and daytime are quick and humid . The powdery ashen or grey-haired fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . foliage will often rick yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and distance plants in good order so they receive tolerable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold antifungal agent according to label focus before job becomes austere and follow directions on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soaked or yellow - edge appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is dry . parting that collect around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at stain level . For fungal leaf spots , employ a advocate fungicide according to label counsel .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insect , associate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide form of plants - indoor and outside . untested scales creep until they find a good eating land site . The adult females then mislay their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They seem as blow , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . exfoliation can weaken a plant leading to xanthous foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are punishing to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It eat on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cut through / scorch the leafage and stems of the plant . The best way to verify sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - end atomiser .
