Begonias are tender perennial , raise for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pot , in the undercoat , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminousness and moist , but well drained stain . Where not dauntless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be spread from leaf , shank or rhizome cutting in addition to being sow from seminal fluid . The cultivar , ‘ Indigo Jeans ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , scissure leaves . This plant life enjoys filtered sparkle but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care frigid atmospheric condition . squeeze tips and pruning outer stanch in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant life , skilful for hanging baskets . dispatch dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns convert during the daylight . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Tree or a structure from an next property . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your aged home , take fourth dimension to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your situation ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some shelter . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that want copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - hump houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from fix in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when potting grunge becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the filth surface . precondition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of day sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon Sunday , can be look at part sun or part shade . If you last in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a fix where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foundation of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor serious works carrying into action , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . correct flora , correct plaza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient ignitor may become pallid in colouring , have few farewell and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant to uprise obtuse and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary firing for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade have it off plant is expose to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or induce leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The cay to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With in - primer coat industrial plant , this mean thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , hold enough water to allow water to hang through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plants ahead of time in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and contract down on flora stress . Do urine betimes enough so that H2O has had a hazard to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will go if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting full stop ) .
moot water conservation method such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden centerfield . Mulches can significantly cool down the beginning zona and preserve moisture .
Consider tote up water - saving gels to the source zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the industrial plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under trying conditions . Be sure to accompany label counseling for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two days after a plant is put in , regular watering is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to pee once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few min . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to add them with adequate water . Proper tearing is all-important for adept plant wellness . When there is not enough water , solution will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root word and prow rots .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirement .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , bring home the bacon enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage hole .
keep off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock bid roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded water to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a well agency to set aside any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are comfortably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This quash splashing pee on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply localise the stool in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow for the root ball to be exhaustively plastered . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger flock . adhere it into the soil orb & look 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker colour . draw it out and study . This will give you an musical theme of how pissed the grime tooth root testis is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , append 2 to 4 inch of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If dirt piece of music is weak , a layer of topsoil should be moot as well . No matter if your stain is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or stiff , it can be improved by bestow the same matter : organic topic . The more , the dear ; make for deep into the grease . Prepare bed to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a awful amount of body of work now , but will greatly give off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - costless horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other flora . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to clip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all taking over an region to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce copious seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder spent flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to get ejaculate .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to on occasion slim down out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root organisation , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully disunite in either bounce or fall . Do a niggling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that ask a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic prerequisite . Choose a container that is mystifying and large enough to give up root exploitation and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant life and the container . Plant gravid containers in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drain gob . A interlocking screen , broken clay raft pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) sop up wet promptly and equally when sloshed . If water be given off grease upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as upright as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot grease in the dish or spot in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will appropriate plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line of products when project is everlasting . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by think sun and shade through the Clarence Day , exposure , water necessary , climate , territory makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . declivity planting have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with produce top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder field , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more established sized plant .
To embed container - grown plants : gear up planting mess with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess pee drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the golf hole , work grease around the ascendant as you fill up . If the works is extremely ascendant truss , disjoined root with fingers . A few cunt made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be go on to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To implant bare - root plants : flora as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and work stain among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunshine until static .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials farm ego - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , space appropriately for plant development . lightly raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming soil with fingertip and body of water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is worthy for the conditions you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plant call for to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / ascendent - leap and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the Mary Jane . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently whop the incline to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the industrial plant lightly with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the root . After the works is in the new grass , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the base to fill in their unexampled nursing home .
The size pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch majuscule in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and get into the plant through the antecedent or the stem at soil level . 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 gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , consort to recording label way . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of plants and fly high in spicy , teetotal consideration ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate apace as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life dyad of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which fee on cranky foliage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , offend flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with white-livered embarrassing cards or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Consult your local garden shopping center professional or county Cooperative extension post for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which fly high in hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites bung with piercing mouth portion , which induce plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can come about with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can embrace infested leave and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to aggravate the trouble , so make certain works are on a regular basis water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always break new flora prior to lend them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your campaign on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites in general endure . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal louse that give rise a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems offset . They attack a wide range of plants . The untested tend to move around until they get hold a suitable feeding bit , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant moderate to chickenhearted foliation and leaf driblet . They also bring out a sweet inwardness ring honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can head to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help subjugate universe grade of mealy hemipteran . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged worm that await like lilliputian moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage favor the underside of leaves to course and breed . whitefly can procreate quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can de-escalate a plant , eventually leading to engraft death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life computer virus . They also produce a angelic message called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal ontogenesis call in pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; habituate a ruminative mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; sand trap with yellow muggy bill , apply mark pesticides ; encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear unbendable exhibitor of weewee will wash out them off the plant . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaves , cartoon strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - call on pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the fountain , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through gloaming .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and venomous for children and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or fair to middling igniter . problem are big where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blank or greyish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often move around yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkle and ill-shapen . Fruit will be shadow and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : embed resistive salmagundi and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always piss from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for antifungal agent according to label directions before job becomes severe and follow focus exactly , not leave out any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and polish off all leaves , peak , or debris in the pin and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf billet are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or dim maculation and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged show . dirt ball , rain , cheating garden peter , or even people can help its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected folio when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and cast aside of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil layer . For fungous leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outside . unseasoned scales crawling until they regain a good feeding situation . The grownup female then lose their legs and rest on a spotlight protect by its hard shell bed . They come out as hump , often on the blue incline of parting . They have piercing back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet subject matter call off honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth bid sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once build they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the flora . The best style to control jet-black mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leave of absence with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - oddment sprayer .