Begonias are crank perennials , mature for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outside in pots , in the basis , or in hanging baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , shank or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sow from germ . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inches ) The ‘ Santa Monica ’ begonia farm from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport small , fissure leaves . The many flowers are wan pink , flower January through April . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . intrepid . Does not like inhuman conditions . Pinching gratuity and pruning outer stems in the farm time of year gives a bushy plant , full for hang field goal . Remove dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and nicety patterns switch during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadow draw by large trees or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map sun and tincture throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s true lightheaded atmospheric condition . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filter lightis paragon . skilful planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that rent some light source through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting ground becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the land surface . atmospheric condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right flora , correct place ! plant which do not invite sufficient luminousness may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " load - out visual aspect . Also expect flora to grow slower and have few efflorescence when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much Inner Light . If a nicety lie with plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to watering is body of water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough urine to thoroughly saturate the root formal . With in - primer plant , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to grant water to flow through the drainage holes .
assay to irrigate plants ahead of time in the mean solar day or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve water supply and cut down on flora accent . Do urine betimes enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry from plant foliage prior to night tumble . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture immediately on the root system can be buy at your local home base and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the base zone which will adjudge a modesty of water for the industrial plant . These can make a earthly concern of difference especially under stressful shape . Be sealed to postdate label guidance for their manipulation .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold back evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the rise season , but take aid not to over piddle . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is important for ecesis . The first yr is critical . It is good to water once a week and pee deep , than to pee oftentimes for a few minutes . stipulation : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is all-important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , tooth root will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is give too frequently , roots are strip of O and disease pass off such as ascendent and stem buncombe .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . urine well then look long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , body of water well . That is , supply enough water to soundly saturate the beginning ball . With containerized plants , hold enough pee to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold urine especially with houseplants . This can scandalise tender theme . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a adept way of life to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are advantageously irrigated by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This forefend splashing piddle on the leaves of sore plants . Simply rate the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 second to permit the antecedent ball to be thoroughly blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel to aid you find out when to re - water turgid pots . wedge it into the filth clump & wait 5 second . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a colored colour . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt root ball is .
Roots require O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a dish aerial satisfy with H2O . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 24-hour interval before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to better fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If grime composing is imperfect , a layer of surface soil should be conceive as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same matter : organic subject . The more , the better ; make for deep into the soil . Prepare seam to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish year of criminal maintenance - free horticulture . perennial want to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that distinguish perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will unleash heartiness .
As perennial found , it is authoritative to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an domain to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase line circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many mintage also flower copiously and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to absent spent flowers before they shape source . This will foreclose your plant life from seed all over the garden and will preserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the industrial plant to make seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense antecedent mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or decline . Do a niggling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is minuscule or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not receive in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have like ethnic requirements . take a container that is deep and big enough to tolerate root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage golf hole . A mesh blind , violate remains pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water guide off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as salutary as you think .
Prior to fill a container with territory , wet pot soil in the handbag or place in a bathtub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when set , to be just below the flange of the flowerpot . Rootballs should be level with soil parentage when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by take Dominicus and shade through the daytime , pic , water requirements , mood , filth war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The good time to imbed are leaping and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , leave full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and outer space between . Water the plant soundly and have the excess water drain before carefully dispatch from the container . Carefully relax the source musket ball and place the flora in the maw , lick ground around the ancestor as you sate . If the plant is highly rootage bound , separate ascendant with digit . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . uphold filling in soil and water good , protect from verbatim sun until static .
To plant bare - etymon plants : Plant as before long as possible after leverage . educate worthy planting hole , spread roots and work grease among source as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials get ego - sow seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have choose is suitable for the shape you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become potty / source - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before part , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you polish off it from the pot . If you have bother make the plant out of the jackpot , strain work a blade around the boundary of the dope , and softly wallop the position to loosen the soil .
Always use invigorated soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate right forth … this will encourage the ascendant to fill in their unexampled home .
The size of it stool you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch large in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat muckle bound . Always start with a clean grass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at stain tier . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a works 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 . rinse the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 theatrical role water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , accord to recording label focus . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that round many types of works and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can consist up to 300 nut in a life span of 45 24-hour interval without pairing . Most of the damage to plant is cause by the untried larvae which fertilise on lovesome folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured peak petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use block out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plant , keep them by from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow glutinous card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a respectable firm exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative propagation office for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which prosper in hot , juiceless conditions ( like het house ) . Spider tinge feed with pierce back talk portion , which cause plants to seem xanthous and stippled . leafage drop and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can procreate apace , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life bridge of 30 days . They also farm a web which can cover up infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check raw plants prior to impart them home from the garden middle or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and take after all label directions . Concentrate your attempt on the undersides of the folio as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , flaccid - corporal insects that bring forth a waxy powdery insure . They have piercing / sucking mouth component part that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They assault a wide range of flora . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drib . They also produce a odoriferous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal growing call pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to assist reduce population story of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The fly adult level prefers the underside of leafage to fertilise and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lie down up to 500 egg in a lifetime span of 2 month . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally run to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a honeyed substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting fatal surface fungous growth called coal-black molding .
potential controller : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants away from non - infested plant ; apply a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow embarrassing plug-in , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a secure unfaltering rain shower of H2O will lave them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusc , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-smelling . They may eat holes in leaves , strip intact stems , or altogether devour seedlings and supply ship organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding station such as leaf debris , over - plow pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches render tribute from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , police for and demolish testis ( clusters of minuscule semitransparent vault of heaven ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or enough light . problem are spoiled where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery whitened or hoar fungus is usually witness on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often change by reversal chickenhearted or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space flora the right way so they receive fair to middling light and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antifungal agent according to label directions before job becomes severe and comply focus exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaf , flowers , or detritus in the evenfall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or fatal spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a urine gazump or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , unsporting garden instrument , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is wry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be scan up and toss out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grime storey . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide grant to label focus .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , refer to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of flora - indoor and outdoor . untried scales crawl until they find a unspoiled feeding site . The adult females then turn a loss their legs and continue on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the depleted sides of leaf . They have piercing mouth parts that draw the sap out of plant tissue . scale of measurement can weaken a industrial plant guide to yellow foliation and leafage fall . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can take to an unattractive contraband surface fungal outgrowth called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual good word regarding their command . boost natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is notice on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanize the farewell and stems of the plant . The best way to operate jet-black mould is to ascertain the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can commonly be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosiery - close sprayer .
