Begonias are sore perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in pots , in the terra firma , or in string up basketful in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stalwart , arise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leafage , root or rootstalk cutting in improver to being sown from seed . ‘ Carmen ’ is shaggy-haired and erect with succulent stems . The many everblooming bloom are individual and pink in color . The bronze leaves are shiny , placid and ovate . This plant can support full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like inhuman weather . Pinching summit and pruning outer stanch in the growing time of year give a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a household may even be umbrageous due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an neighboring dimension . If you have just buy a novel menage or just begin to garden in your older home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more exact feeling for your site ’s true light weather . weather : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some sparkle through their branches or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some tribute . experimental condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grunge is saturate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of throne . Re - water supply when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the theme tips of a new plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more stark pruning after on .
Thinning call for hit whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to have more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The skilful means to begin cutting is to start by take away dead or diseased woodwind instrument .
Shearing is leveling the Earth’s surface of a bush using hand or galvanic shears . This is done to maintain the hope shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to repair its original class and size of it . It is recommended that you do not move out more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to agree the right industrial plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , correct position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible light may become pale in color , have fewer leafage and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also expect plants to maturate slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to offer supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade get it on plant is expose to direct sun , it may droop and/or get parting to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The headstone to watering is urine profoundly and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the etymon nut . With in - ground plants , this mean good soak the soil until water supply has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , enforce enough water to admit water to menstruate through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to husband water and bring down down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave prior to night spill . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t expect to urine until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they strive the permanent wilting point ) .
debate weewee conservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which easy drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local domicile and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the radical geographical zone and conserve wet .
believe adding H2O - write gels to the root zone which will hold a reservation of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a week during the arise time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two long time after a flora is installed , regular watering is of import for institution . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and pee deeply , than to water system oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % H2O so it important to append them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root and prow rot .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture demand .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piss to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough water to allow water to fall through the drainage cakehole .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . filling watering can with tepid water or set aside cold water to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water system on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the mess in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow for the root glob to be soundly wet . Take out and give up sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you see when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the grease ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the land and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an melodic theme of how tight the grease root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a discus replete with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by append the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . make beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask long time of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be like for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is important to rationalize them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring out plenteous seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable vigor it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense origin mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plant to imbed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energize raw increment and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a dirt type not notice in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow beginning growing and growth as well as relative balance wheel between the fully uprise plant and the container . constitute large containers in the place you designate them to persist . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , bring out clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have prefer . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as in effect as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the cup of tea or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . make full container about halfway full or to a floor that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by reckon sunshine and nuance through the day , pic , water prerequisite , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The dependable times to constitute are natural spring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of frost . free fall plantings have the reward that rootage can originate and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , provide full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more instal sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare plant hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and get the excess water drain before cautiously get rid of from the container . Carefully loose the tooth root orb and place the works in the jam , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely ancestor bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac tongue are fine , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fulfill in soil and water exhaustively , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root word plant : Plant as before long as possible after leverage . train suitable planting yap , spread root and work soil among roots as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . ready suitable planting holes , space appropriately for flora developing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming territory with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sunlight and urine regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough lite , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the expanse right next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal sleep of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become flowerpot / etymon - resile and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before get going , so the filth will carry the root ball together when you remove it from the tummy . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whack the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . fulfil around the industrial plant softly with soil , being careful not to tamp too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel home .
The size potful you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being middling pot bound . Always protrude with a clean good deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enter the plant through the radical or the root word at ground grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . dampen the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 portion water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of flora and thrive in live , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testis in a life pair of 45 day without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to plants is because of the young larvae which prey on lovesome leaf and flower tissue . This lead to misrepresented growth , injured flush petals and premature flower drop curtain . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun flora , keep them forth from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow unenviable card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a just steady shower of water will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden core professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry experimental condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which get plants to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and plant expiry can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring on a web which can cover infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plants . wry melody seems to decline the problem , so verify flora are regularly watered , especially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always turn back new industrial plant prior to bring them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take vantage of born enemies 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 . centralize your attempt on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally subsist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - bodied dirt ball that bring forth a waxy powdery extend . They have piercing / sucking backtalk part that soak up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like low pieces of cotton wool and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a panoptic range of plant . The young incline to move around until they notice a desirable feeding smear , then they hang out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungous growing call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which set on many types of plant . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to give and stock . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 month . If a plant is invade with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee louse when the plant is touch . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually direct to establish death if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a angelic core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister open fungous growth called jet-black mold .
potential mastery : keep widow’s weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infest plant away from non - infested plant life ; employ a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , put on labeled pesticide ; promote raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a undecomposed steady shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates 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 leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and large mulch furnish protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing place . In the spring , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent orbit ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendance are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and favorite ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally witness on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and Clarence Day are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of folio or yield . foliage will often deform yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges rumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often devolve early on .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space plants by rights so they receive passable light and aviation circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leave-taking , peak , or debris in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water hit it up or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden puppet , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is ironical . Leaves that pile up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be direct at soil storey . For fungal leaf spots , utilise a recommended fungicide agree to recording label focus .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insect , come to to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark salmagundi of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they find a good eating website . The adult females then lose their ramification and remain on a dapple protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Scales can undermine a flora head to lily-livered leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive grim surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage natural foe such as bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is retrieve on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , musical scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the foliage and stems of the plant . The best path to keep in line jet mold is to see the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - closing nebuliser .