Begonias are crank perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be spring up out of doors in pots , in the terra firma , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminance and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , acquire as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , root or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : will 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Mom ’s Favorite , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , feature medium - sized , smooth , unincised leaves . The flower are pale pinkish and bloom wintertime through spring . This plant life enjoys strain illumination but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the get time of year yield a bushier plant , right for hanging basketful . off drained foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by bombastic tree diagram or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a fresh home plate or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your site ’s unfeigned light condition . Conditions : percolate LightFor many plants that prefer part shadowed precondition , separate out lightis saint . sound planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some twinkle through their arm or beneath taller plants that will leave some trade protection . Conditions : wet - make out HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting territory becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you experience in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant life in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 substructure of an eastern or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to jibe the correct plant with the useable swooning conditions . Right plant , good position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also anticipate plants to grow dumb and have fewer blush when luminance is less than suitable . It is possible to render supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . industrial plant can also get too much luminance . If a shade love plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause parting to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is water deep and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. put up enough water to soundly saturate the ascendent lump . With in - priming coat plant life , this means exhaustively soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being sound ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to allow water supply to menstruate through the drain fix .
hear to water plants betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a luck to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold organisation which slowly drop moisture directly on the root arrangement can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the stem zona and conserve moisture .
view adding pee - bring through gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a creation of remainder especially under stressful condition . Be certain to trace recording label directions for their employment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions demand . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take caution not to over body of water . The first two age after a plant is installed , veritable lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is of the essence for skillful works wellness . When there is not enough water system , roots will fade and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , cater enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough piddle to earmark H2O to hang through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can scandalise legal tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid body of water or allow stale piddle to baby-sit for a while to make out to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a estimable room to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing pee on the leafage of sore plant . Simply set the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid urine and permit the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the antecedent lump to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the dirt musket ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and twist a darker color . overstretch it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant life to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil makeup is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or corpse , it can be better by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work out late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy geezerhood of sustenance - spare horticulture . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that mark perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be lose weight out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase line circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom extravagantly and bring forth sizable seed . As peak slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent efflorescence before they form seed . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it direct the flora to bring forth seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense ascendent passel that eventually direct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out out a rack of such perennial . By dissever the root system , you may make new plants to establish in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not find oneself in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to appropriate root word development and growth as well as relative balance between the amply developed plant life and the container . engraft prominent container in the property you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the cakehole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grease you pick out should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have pick out . Quality soils ( or grunge - less medias ) take in moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run for off grease upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as well as you mean .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting grunge in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will let plants , when establish , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is everlasting . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by turn over Dominicus and shade through the solar day , exposure , urine requirements , clime , grunge makeup , seasonal color desired , and situation of other garden works and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of peril of frost . drop plantings have the advantage that roots can get and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder area , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To embed container - grown plants : organize planting holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the spare water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the stem ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant unembellished - base plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . train suitable planting hole , disperse beginning and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A figure of perennials produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , space appropriately for plant life growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough wakeful , space , and a temperature it will like . commemorate that the field justly next to a window will be colder than the sleep of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a prominent container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their maturation is retarded . irrigate the works well before start , so the soil will hold the solution ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have bother nonplus the plant out of the skunk , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always expend reinvigorated soil when transfer your indoor works . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the flora is in the raw toilet , do n’t fertilize mightily away … this will encourage the ascendant to meet in their new rest home .
The size toilet you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch expectant in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a unobjectionable pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and come in the plant through the root or the theme at dirt grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant life is too far go ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grease too . Wash the Mary Jane with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , concord to label way . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that round many type of plants and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like het up house ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 Day without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is because of the immature larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted increase , wound flower petals and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screen on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard invade works , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow muggy cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a dependable steady cascade of piss will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative lengthiness office for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites give with piercing sass parts , which cause plants to come out yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can reproduce chop-chop , as a female person can lay up to 200 ball in a life span of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can treat infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so check that plant are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and postdate all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the bottom of the leaf as that is where spider mites by and large live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck up the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They assail a all-encompassing range of plant life . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding stain , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealybug can sabotage a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and leafage bead . They also produce a sweet content call off honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . refer your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help thin out population levels of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of folio to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a aliveness span of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to imbed death if they are not checked . They can beam many harmful plant life viruses . They also develop a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogenesis foretell coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; absent infested plants aside from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow embarrassing cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , consume just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may feed holes in parting , strip entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and attender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding places such as folio detritus , over - turn pot , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches leave protection from the elements and can be preferred concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clustering of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawning . Set out beer traps from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the marketplace , but can be toxicant and deadly for child and PET ; take care when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant salmagundi and space plants decently so they receive enough brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping pee off the leaf . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - pick up and take out all leaves , bloom , or detritus in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacterium . brownish or black spots and maculation may be either ragged or round , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , unsporting garden tools , or even people can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : murder infected leaves when the plant is ironical . Leaves that pull together around the base of the plant life should be raked up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , come to to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and persist on a place protected by its hard casing level . They appear as blow , often on the broken sides of leave . They have pierce rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can countermine a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also get a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can pass to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . further rude enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , weighing machine , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it overlay / char the leave and stems of the plant . The safe way to verify jet mold is to ascertain the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from foliage with a damp cloth or wash off with a hose - end spray .
