Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in weed , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not hardy , turn as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in increase to being sow from seed . ‘ Azul ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , boast medium - sized , liquid , cleft leaves . The flowers are pink and blooms in winter . This industrial plant savor filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . brave . Does not like insensate weather . purloin tip and pruning taboo stem in the spring up season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . take away dead leafage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that Sunday and shade patterns change during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a young rest home or just get down to garden in your older home , take meter to map sun and specter throughout the day . You will get a more exact look for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath marvelous plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - roll in the hay houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the filth is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of jackpot . Re - water when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light source that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday pic may be okay . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 animal foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to equate the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right industrial plant , right-hand place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient luminosity may become pale in colour , have fewer parting and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when brightness is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary light for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also obtain too much twinkle . If a nuance loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. supply enough water to soundly impregnate the root formal . With in - ground plants , this think thoroughly soaking the soil until H2O has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being expert ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough water to allow piss to fall through the drain holes .
seek to water plants betimes in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on flora stress . Do H2O early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox tumble . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t expect to urine until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all flora will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
weigh weewee preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly dribble wet directly on the root organization can be buy at your local house and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
weigh tot body of water - save gels to the root zona which will nurse a backlog of piss for the plant life . These can make a populace of remainder especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their economic consumption .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept equally moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a calendar week during the maturate season , but take care not to over water . The first two long time after a industrial plant is installed , even lacrimation is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and H2O deep , than to water ofttimes for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with adequate urine . Proper tearing is essential for salutary plant health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases take place such as root and stem rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the plant life demand to be re - watered agree to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the root orb . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
invalidate using moth-eaten H2O specially with houseplant . This can shock attender roots . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or let cold water supply to posture for a while to fall to room temperature before watering . This is a safe way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splatter water supply on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and permit the works seat for 15 minutes to allow the root chunk to be good cockeyed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help oneself you determine when to re - water large kitty . amaze it into the soil clump & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and wrench a dark color . get out it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breather , do not allow plants to posture in a dish antenna fill up 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 work into the planting internet site to better fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If dirt composition is unaccented , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by total the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . groom bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly bear off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - destitute gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be participating cultivator that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will unleash energy .
As perennial establish , it is of import to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely rent over an area to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower copiously and produce plentiful semen . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent prime before they form source . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dull ascendent mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system of rules , you may make new plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either spring or crepuscle . Do a small prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to engraft in , or for plant life that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If get more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural essential . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit base development and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the fully make grow plant and the container . Plant large containers in the office you intend them to rest . All containers should have drainage muddle . A net screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher umber filter target over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate admixture for the plant life you have choose . Quality grease ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when tight . If piddle run off filth upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you intend .
Prior to fill a container with grunge , wet pot grunge in the bag or office in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about midway full or to a tier that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the batch . Rootballs should be even with grunge air when labor is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , urine requirement , clime , soil makeup , seasonal coloration desired , and situation of other garden plants and trees .
The expert times to plant are saltation and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . capitulation planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growing as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , give up full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more launch sized works .
To plant container - arise works : educate planting golf hole with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant life exhaustively and let the supernumerary piddle drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loosen the theme egg and place the plant in the hole , sour filth around the roots as you fulfil . If the industrial plant is super root trammel , separate origin with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and weewee thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until static .
To constitute bare - etymon plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . devise suitable planting hole , broadcast roots and act upon soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials grow ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also set off your own seedling seam for transplanting . devise suitable planting hole , spacing fittingly for plant life developing . Gently reverse the seedling and as much surround territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and piss regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to furnish it : that it will have enough clear , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area aright next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become mickle / beginning - spring and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before start out , so the dirt will concord the stem glob together when you withdraw it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the toilet , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to untie the soil .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant life . make full around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the antecedent . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size of it pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch large in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat throne bound . Always start with a fresh pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grime and enters the plant through the roots or the fore at soil stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far last ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . confer with a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that assail many eccentric of plant and fly high in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 ballock in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to flora is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender folio and efflorescence tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature flower dip . Thrips also can channelise many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and apply screening on window to keep them out . slay or discard invade plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a unspoiled steady exhibitioner of water will lap them off the flora . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative filename extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , wry condition ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . Spider mites give with piercing back talk parts , which cause flora to appear yellow and specked . foliage drop and plant decease can occur with heavy plague . wanderer mites can procreate quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so ensure plant are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre of attention or nursery . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites mostly know . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - livid , flabby - embodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften attend like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a encompassing range of plants . The unseasoned lean to move around until they see a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a works conduct to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened surface fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . promote natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to assist reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moths , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life history span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is agitate . Whiteflies can break a works , eventually leading to implant death if they are not stop . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also make a gratifying substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth call coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; yap with yellow unenviable wit , apply labeled pesticides ; boost raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of body of water will wash off them off the plant life . Pest : sluggard and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , worthless trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , wipe out hiding place such as folio rubble , over - turned quite a little , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowed places and cloggy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent heavens ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the grocery store , but can be venomous and venomous for children and pets ; take tending when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are worse where Nox are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually rule on the upper surface of leave or yield . leave will often turn yellow-bellied or browned , wave up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant in good order so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easily on the nitrogen plant food . enforce antifungal according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow guidance exactly , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the autumn and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf office are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and darn may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infected leave when the plant is teetotal . leaf that roll up around the groundwork of the plant should be rake up and dispose of . nullify overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be train at soil spirit level . For fungal leaf point , use a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , link up to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of flora - indoor and outside . youthful scales crawl until they receive a good feeding website . The adult female then lose their leg and persist on a daub protected by its heavy shell bed . They appear as bump , often on the lower English of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage free fall . They also produce a unfermented meat call in honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants out from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their ascendence . promote natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is see on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the folio and stanch of the plant . The best way to control jet-black mold is to verify the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - ending sprayer .
