begonia are tender perennial , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in potty , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained territory . Where not stalwart , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be circularise from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in accession to being sown from come . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Southgate,’grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , feature intermediate - sized , smooth , unincised leave of absence . The many flowers are pinkish and bloom in spring . This flora enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias maturate very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the farm season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basket . Remove deadened foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a mansion may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a social organization from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your former home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate flavor for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filter out lightis apotheosis . upright planting sites are under a mid to declamatory sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will leave some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich pee , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of heap . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as warm as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an orbit that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rate within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 base of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the right plant life with the useable calorie-free conditions . Right plant life , proper place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lightness may become pale in gloss , have few parting and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also await plants to grow slow and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant life with lamps . flora can also have too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or induce leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to tearing is water system deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root Lucille Ball . With in - ground plants , this means good soak the filth until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , give enough body of water to reserve water to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the sidereal day or afterward in the good afternoon to maintain H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry out from plant leaf prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plants will find from this , all plant will pass if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
conceive water conservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local menage and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider summate water - hold open gelatin to the root zone which will hold a second-stringer of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their habit .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take maintenance not to over urine . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for governance . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to piddle frequently for a few hour . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is crucial for good plant life health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is use too frequently , ascendent are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The headstone to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root musket ball . With containerized works , implement enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drain hole .
avert using frigid pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid H2O or earmark cold-blooded water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to melt before being used .
Some plant are best water by zep - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This nullify splosh water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the sens in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pot . cohere it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a moody colour . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root egg is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow for plants to sit down in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and study into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If dirt composition is weak , a bed of surface soil should be reckon as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic issue . The more , the beneficial ; influence late into the land . educate beds to an 18 inch cryptic for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done by and by , once plants have been ground . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love long time of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennial give , it is crucial to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly carry over an sphere to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower profusely and bring forth ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your plant from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dull root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for flora that require a soil eccentric not regain 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 alike ethnical prerequisite . Choose a container that is abstruse and large enough to let root development and growth as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant tumid container in the billet you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , give away clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep land from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If H2O bleed off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as safe as you remember .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or office in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will give up plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the flock . Rootballs should be even with territory line when project is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by see sun and refinement through the day , photograph , water demand , mood , grunge constitution , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best time to embed are leaping and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with arise top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike crocked experimental condition or for colder areas , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more instal sized flora .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the spare water drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loose the stem ball and lay the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely theme bind , separate root with fingers . A few prick made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be hold to a lower limit . Continue meet in soil and water good , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To establish bare - radical plants : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work filth among roots as you fill in . body of water well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A act of perennials produce ego - sow in seedling that can be transplanted . You may also set off your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant life development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and water system on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough weak , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a gravid container sporadically , or they become pot / ancestor - attach and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the tooth root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss fix the plant life out of the pot , try run a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loose the soil .
Always employ fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to load down too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will promote the roots to fill in their fresh home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch peachy in diameter . think , many plants favor being somewhat pot tie up . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the stalk at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far start ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the raft with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts pee solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to recording label way . confabulate a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insect that attack many type of plants and flourish in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated business firm ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can repose up to 300 ball in a living yoke of 45 days without pairing . Most of the harm to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on fond folio and flower tissue paper . This leads to twisted growth , injured heyday petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on windowpane to keep them out . dispatch or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested works . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a proficient steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - comparable creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated up house ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing back talk region , which cause plants to appear yellow and speckled . Leaf free fall and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a life span of 30 days . They also bring on a web which can handle infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and get rid of infested works . wry line seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant life are regularly water , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and follow all label focus . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint generally endure . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insect that make a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that nurse the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like belittled piece of cotton and they lean to congregate where leave and stems subdivision . They attack a wide range of plant . The young lean to move around until they discover a worthy feeding spot , then they string up out in dependency and provender . mealybug can soften a plant leave to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an untempting black surface fungous outgrowth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . refer your local garden gist professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost raw foeman such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce universe level of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , wing worm that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly grownup stage choose the underside of leave of absence to feed and stock . whitefly can manifold quickly as a female person can set up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can step down a plant , eventually leading to set decease if they are not suss out . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a fresh center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use of goods and services screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , employ labeled pesticide ; encourage rude enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast rain shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insect . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat hollow in leafage , strip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowy places and hard mulch bring home the bacon auspices from the elements and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy bollock ( cluster of small-scale semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawn . ready out beer traps from late bounce through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market place , but can be toxicant and virulent for children and pets ; take charge when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually institute on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where night are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or grey fungus is usually observe on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn chickenhearted or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant variety and space works properly so they receive enough light and aura circulation . Always H2O from below , maintain water supply off the foliage . This is predominant for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides concord to recording label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not neglect any call for treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leave-taking , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf post are do by fungus kingdom or bacteria . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a piss pluck or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , soiled garden cock , or even hoi polloi can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of operations of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be mastermind at soil point . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are louse , refer to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide-eyed variety of plants - indoor and outside . unseasoned scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their peg and remain on a smudge protected by its grueling casing bed . They seem as excrescence , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . plate can weaken a flora lead to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance squall honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are tough to operate . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the parting and stem of the plant . The dear way of life to hold jet molding is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist material or wash away with a hose - remainder nebulizer .
