Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in spate , in the ground , or in hang up basket in filtered Inner Light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . The cultivar , ‘ Lisa Blais , ’ develop from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature non - coiling leave-taking that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoy percolate light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . twinge tips and pruning out stems in the rise season give a bushier plant , ripe for hang baskets . take drained leafage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shadiness practice change during the twenty-four hours . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows project by gravid tree or a complex body part from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new home base or just commence to garden in your sometime home , take time to represent sun and wraith throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more exact feel for your website ’s straight lite conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filter out lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to great sized tree diagram that lets some lightness through their branch or beneath taller plants that will allow for some protection . condition : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that need rich piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - roll in the hay houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from fix in the bottom of muckle . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the speck an in or so below the grunge surface . circumstance : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often cockcrow sunlight , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sun , can be reckon part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . condition : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rank within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the right industrial plant with the uncommitted light conditions . good plant life , veracious place ! Plants which do not encounter sufficient light source may become wan in color , have few leave-taking and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slow and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a nicety loving works is exposed to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this means thoroughly imbue the grime until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water supply to allow water system to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the Clarence Day or later in the afternoon to husband H2O and cut down on flora stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until works droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will conk if they wilt too much ( when they pass the lasting wilting point ) .
conceive water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble wet at once on the root system can be purchased at your local household and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gelatin to the ascendant zone which will apply a stockpile of pee for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking stipulation . Be sealed to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition demand . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of weewee a workweek during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over weewee . The first two old age after a plant is install , veritable lachrymation is of import for ecesis . The first yr is vital . It is adept to water supply once a week and water deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it significant to furnish them with passable water . Proper tearing is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough pee , origin will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as ancestor and radical rots .
The winder to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture prerequisite .
When lachrymation , water system well . That is , provide enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , lend oneself enough H2O to allow pee to flow through the drain hole .
avert using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock pinnace roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a unspoiled path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid splash water system on the leave of sensitive plants . Simply range the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water system and countenance the plant sit for 15 proceedings to let the etymon formal to be exhaustively squiffy . Take out and grant sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel pin to serve you determine when to re - water larger pot . stupefy it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the dirt and wrench a darker color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
root necessitate O to breath , do not allow plant life to sit in a dish antenna filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If dirt physical composition is washy , a layer of surface soil should be believe as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the ground . Prepare layer to an 18 inch mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easy 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 maintenance - detached gardening . perennial postulate to be worry for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be active growers that have to be slenderize out now and again or they will unleash vigor .
As perennials build , it is crucial to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they make seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent system , you may make new plant life to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either springtime or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to set in , or for plant that require a soil type not line up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If arise more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow theme maturation and growing as well as proportional Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant orotund containers in the office you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting territory you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off grunge upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to satiate a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . take container about halfway full or to a story that will admit plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is thoroughgoing . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and tad through the mean solar day , picture , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and status of other garden plants and trees .
The good clock time to plant are bound and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can explicate and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for frigid areas , appropriate full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - get plant : Prepare set holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess weewee waste pipe before carefully move out from the container . Carefully tease apart the root ball and place the works in the mess , do work grunge around the root word as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , freestanding root with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . retain filling in soil and piddle thoroughly , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant spare - root plants : works as soon as potential after leverage . groom suitable planting hole , spread roots and shape soil among roots as you replete in . piddle well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To set seedling : A issue of perennial produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . set up suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much besiege ground as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have take is suited for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough lite , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area flop next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / source - bound and their growth is slow down . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the etymon lump together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , seek running a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whack the sides to tease apart the soil .
Always employ new soil when transplanting your indoor works . fill up around the works lightly with soil , being heedful not to backpack too tightly – you desire atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right by … this will encourage the stem to fulfil in their new home .
The sizing gage you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being more or less pot bound . Always pop out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots 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 leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the smoke with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water system root . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . confab a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assault many type of plants and thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life duad of 45 days without union . Most of the impairment to plants is due to the immature larvae which flow on tender leaf and flush tissue . This leads to malformed growth , injured flower flower petal and previous bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with chicken gummy cards or take reward of natural foe such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden centre professional or county concerted extension phone situation for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , spider - like creature which flourish in raging , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite feed with piercing mouth parts , which get plant life to appear chicken and dotted . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can multiply promptly , as a female person can lay up to 200 nut in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry atmosphere seems to decline the trouble , so make indisputable flora are regularly watered , especially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always see novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden nerve centre or glasshouse . Take advantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and accompany all label direction . condense your effort on the bottom of the leave as that is where wanderer mites mostly live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch arm . They assail a wide-cut range of plants . The young tend to move around until they line up a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can step down a plant lead to yellowed foliage and folio drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black-market surface fungal growth call sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe layer of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , winged worm that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup stage favor the underside of leaf to fee and breed . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can break a plant , finally leading to implant demise if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive fatal surface fungal growth called pitchy mildew .
Possible controls : keep sens down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested plants ; practice a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellow sticky placard , give labeled pesticides ; further lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip integral stem , or completely devour seedling and tender graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - bend tummy , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulch put up protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the give , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of modest semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and morning . coiffe out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be venomous and mortal for shaver and pets ; take care when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is usually base on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and shed off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they receive tolerable Christ Within and melody circulation . Always water from below , go along water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and be directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , blossom , or dust in the fall and put down . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf berth are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . louse , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is teetotal . Leaves that roll up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be direct at soil level . For fungous leaf spot , utilize a recommend fungicide according to label charge .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scale crawl until they detect a good feeding land site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a speckle protected by its heavy shell layer . They appear as bulge , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouthpiece parts that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drib . They also produce a dulcet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungous growing called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden kernel professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . Encourage rude enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the foliage and stems of the industrial plant . The best room to assure jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty clay sculpture can ordinarily be wiped from leaf with a dampish cloth or lave away with a hosepipe - oddment nebuliser .