Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful heyday and leafage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminance and moist , but well drained stain . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in accession to being sown from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Leo Rowan , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , suave , lobate leaves . The blossom are lite pinkish and bloom in springiness . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . like humidity . stout . Does not wish cold conditions . Pinching confidential information and pruning outer staunch in the raise time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . take away beat foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shadiness patterns exchange during the day . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows throw up by big tree diagram or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just corrupt a new base or just beginning to garden in your older abode , take prison term to map sun and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to expectant sized tree that permit some Light Within through their branches or beneath taller works that will render some protection . Conditions : wet - sleep together HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is impregnate and then drain freely from muddle in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the soupcon an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part nicety . If you experience in an arena that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor honest plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available light conditions . Right flora , correct seat ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to supply supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also get too much light . If a shade get it on plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the ground until piddle has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant life tenseness . Do water early on enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leave prior to nighttime nightfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to piddle until flora droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pass away if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting detail ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture directly on the origin arrangement can be purchased at your local house and garden plaza . Mulches can significantly cool down the source zone and keep up moisture .
Consider adding weewee - keep open gels to the source geographical zone which will hold up a substitute of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to adopt label counselling for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and water regularly , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 column inch of water system a week during the growing season , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and piss profoundly , than to urine frequently for a few minute of arc . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it authoritative to append them with adequate water . right watering is indispensable for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases come such as root and stem bunkum .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , furnish enough urine to soundly saturate the root ballock . With containerized plant , utilise enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage muddle .
quash using cold water particularly with houseplant . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to seat for a while to issue forth to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a estimable way to provide any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This invalidate sprinkle water on the leave of sensitive plant life . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan fill with tepid water and let the plant pose for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively stiff . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel to avail you find when to re - water larger potful . Stick it into the soil globe & wait 5 transactions . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a dreary color . take out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil stem ball is .
ancestor need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant life to sit in a discus filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and body of work into the planting website to improve prolificacy and increase piss retentivity and drainage . If land composition is weak , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the better ; ferment late into the grime . organise beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of piece of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , 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 sustentation - liberal gardening . perennial call for to be wish for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will loose dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from completely taking over an field to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom copiously and make ample seed . As flush disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vigor it postulate the industrial plant to give rise seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make novel plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energise new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a slight homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not chance in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is inscrutable and big enough to earmark root ontogenesis and growth as well as relative balance between the fully grow plant and the container . establish large containers in the place you intend them to remain . All container should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken clay potentiometer pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter come out over the hole will keep dirt from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take up moisture readily and equally when pissed . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as effective as you opine .
Prior to satiate a container with soil , wet potting ground in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . meet container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is complete . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by weigh Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and emplacement of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to establish are springiness and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with train top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike squiffy conditions or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless found a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare constitute hollow with appropriate depth and blank space between . Water the plant good and get the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loose the origin egg and set the plant in the trap , form soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . stay on satisfy in soil and piddle thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant mere - solution plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . groom desirable planting hole , spread roots and work grime among theme as you take in . Water well and protect from unmediated Dominicus until stable .
To imbed seedlings : A numeral of perennials bring forth self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life development . Gently rise the seedling and as much surrounding filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are able to furnish it : that it will have enough swooning , blank space , and a temperature it will like . think that the domain correctly next to a windowpane will be colder than the respite of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become gage / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retard . Water the plant well before come out , so the territory will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the locoweed . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the flock , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grease .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . fulfill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to wad too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new spate , do n’t fertilize mighty off … this will encourage the root to occupy in their new home .
The size gage you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plant favor being somewhat dope bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the theme or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . antimycotic can be used , fit in to recording label directions . confer with a professional person for a legal testimonial of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many types of flora and prosper in red-hot , ironic condition ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply promptly as a female can lie in up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which course on tender folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted ontogenesis , injured flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky carte or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant life . look up your local garden center professional or county conjunct annexe office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider jot feast with piercing sassing component part , which cause plants to come along jaundiced and stippled . Leaf drop-off and plant end can occur with wakeless infestations . Spider touch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life history span of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make trusted plant are regularly water , especially those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden nitty-gritty or glasshouse . Take reward of innate foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension post , understand and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your exertion on the undersides of the foliage as that is where spider mites loosely dwell . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery get over . They have piercing / sucking oral cavity parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften count like small art object of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leave of absence and stems branch . They attack a wide-eyed mountain range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to white-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also develop a sweet substance address honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive bootleg control surface fungous ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance natural enemy such as madam beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , fly insect that seem like bantam moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying adult microscope stage favor the bottom of leaf to flow and stock . Whiteflies can breed quick as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the works is interrupt . Whiteflies can damp a plant life , eventually leading to implant death if they are not checked . They can channelise many harmful plant viruses . They also make a angelical substance prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungal growth called sooty mildew .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; transfer infest plants out from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with chicken gummy cards , give labeled pesticide ; further natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of urine will wash them off the plant life . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat trap in leafage , strip entire stem , or whole devour seedlings and cutter organ transplant , leave behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , decimate hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and dense mulch provide auspices from the element and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer gob from late spring through crepuscle .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be vicious and lethal for children and pets ; take caution when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminousness . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellowish or brown , draw in up , and miss off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and infinite works properly so they receive adequate igniter and strain circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicide grant to recording label instruction before job becomes stern and follow charge exactly , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or bleak spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water overcharge or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden putz , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that pick up around the base of the works should be glance over up and disposed of . quash overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at soil tier . For fungous foliage speckle , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding website . The grownup females then mislay their legs and stay on a maculation protected by its voiceless shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leafage fall . They also create a sweet substance phone honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to command the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a moist fabric or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
