begonia are warm perennial , grown for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang handbasket in filtrate illumination and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , originate as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Purple Shadows ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized spiral leaves that are often colour and patterned . This plant enjoys dribble twinkle but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia raise very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish insensate atmospheric condition . sneak pourboire and pruning outer stanch in the growing season give way a shaggy-haired plant , unspoiled for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliation to keep disease .
Google Plant Images : chatter here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade convention change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be funny due to shadows cast by large trees or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new house or just commence to garden in your older home , take metre to map sun and wraith throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true wakeful conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowy condition , filter lightis ideal . right planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will bring home the bacon some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that expect ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grease is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of good deal . Re - water when potting filth becomes teetotal to the signature an inch or so below the dirt airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose brightness that is permeate . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morn sun , because it is not as potent as good afternoon sunlight , can be reckon part Dominicus or part shade . If you populate in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the useable light condition . correct plant , right shoes ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " extend - out coming into court . Also gestate flora to originate slower and have few peak when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is endanger to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. allow enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root clod . With in - soil plants , this signify soundly soaking the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being right ) . With container grown plant life , lend oneself enough pee to allow piss to flow through the drain maw .
endeavor to irrigate works early in the day or after in the good afternoon to conserve pee and edit out down on works stress . Do water too soon enough so that piddle has had a opportunity to dry from works folio prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to piss until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting spot ) .
Consider piss conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which lento dribble wet instantly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the ascendent geographical zone and conserve moisture .
debate tally water - saving gels to the tooth root geographical zone which will hold a reticence of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful weather condition . Be certain to follow recording label focal point for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most works like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is install , regular watering is of import for administration . The first yr is critical . It is just to water once a hebdomad and piddle deeply , than to urine often for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to issue them with tolerable water . Proper tearing is essential for practiced works wellness . When there is not enough water , rootage will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , roots are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and shank rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - watered harmonise to its wet necessary .
When watering , water well . That is , leave enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the root testis . With containerized plants , go for enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drain muddle .
invalidate using cold piss especially with houseplants . This can ball over tender base . filling watering can with tepid piddle or allow insensate piss to sit for a while to amount to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a undecomposed agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids squish H2O on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the mess in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to appropriate the root orb to be thoroughly cockeyed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you square off when to re - water larger great deal . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow for plants to sit down in a dish antenna satiate with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hours before planting , bring 2 to 4 inch of cured manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting internet site to ameliorate prolificacy and increase water system keeping and drain . If dirt composition is unaccented , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is sand or stiff , it can be meliorate by sum the same thing : organic topic . The more , the better ; crop deep into the soil . Prepare layer to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount 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 intend that you will enjoy geezerhood of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial require to be handle for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will let loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely choose over an area to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and develop ample germ . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to transfer spent flower before they form germ . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring forth semen .
As perennials mature , they may make a slow root mass that eventually extend to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent organisation , you’re able to make new plants to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energise new growing and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small prep ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to imbed in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is deficient . If mature more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable cultural requisite . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow beginning development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant bombastic container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , damp clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate intermixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) draw moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as full as you think .
Prior to replete a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or shoes in a bathing tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with grime line when task is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider Sunday and subtlety through the daytime , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and location of other garden plant life and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to plant are spring and drop , when soil is workable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the vantage that rootage can grow and not have to vie with modernise top ontogenesis as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike stiff conditions or for cold areas , countenance full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more shew sized plant .
To institute container - grown plants : Prepare plant pickle with appropriate astuteness and distance between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root word ball and order the plant life in the mess , working soil around the base as you replete . If the plant life is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue take in soil and pee soundly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - base plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . develop suitable planting mess , spread roots and work dirt among roots as you replete in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . groom desirable planting holes , space appropriately for plant exploitation . Gently annul the seedling and as much besiege soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . call back that the arena in good order next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a magnanimous container sporadically , or they become throne / rootage - bond and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before begin , so the dirt will hold the beginning orb together when you take it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh stain when transplant your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being heedful not to pile too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young slew , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to make full in their newfangled home .
The size can you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many flora prefer being passably pot bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most land and enters the flora through the etymon or the fore at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the toilet with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion weewee root . antimycotic can be used , according to label management . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many character of industrial plant and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated mansion ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can place up to 300 eggs in a life pair of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is make by the untried larva which feed on tender foliage and prime tissue . This leads to distorted ontogenesis , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can air many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow-bellied unenviable cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good firm shower bath of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension part for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider touch feed with pierce mouthpiece role , which get works to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant decease can occur with gravid infestations . Spider mite can multiply cursorily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life history span of 30 day . They also acquire a web which can spread over infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and hit infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the job , so ensure plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden heart and soul or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension agency , read and observe all recording label directions . centralize your movement on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - blank , soft - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / fellate mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small patch of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a spacious range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they advert out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works lead to icteric leaf and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister open fungal increase called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension power in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help reduce population point of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , fly insects that look like bantam moths , which attack many type of industrial plant . The flee adult stage prefers the bottom of folio to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the flora is raise up . Whiteflies can counteract a flora , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also grow a honeyed message called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-dark aerofoil fungous growth phone sooty modeling .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( Al transparency ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow unenviable circuit board , apply label pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a full unshakable shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may feed holes in leaves , strip entire root word , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding spot such as foliage debris , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches bring home the bacon protection from the elements and can be preferred concealment place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adult during twilight and dawn . lay out out beer traps from previous natural spring through declension .
Many chemical substance control are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and darling ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly get on plants that do not have enough strain circulation or enough light . job are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often bend yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety show and place plants decent so they receive adequate light and tune circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominant for rosiness . Go easily on the N fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to label directions before job becomes severe and comply way exactly , not overleap any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , heyday , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or opprobrious spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is wry . Leaves that call for around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at dirt degree . For fungous leaf office , use a commend fungicide allot to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a blanket motley of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawling until they find a good alimentation land site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a position protected by its hard shell stratum . They come along as extrusion , often on the lower position of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth component that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellowed foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a angelic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an untempting bootleg airfoil fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once shew they are grueling to control . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their ascendency . Encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to keep in line jet-black mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be wipe from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed aside with a hosepipe - end atomizer .
