Begonias are tender perennials , produce for their colored efflorescence and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in separate out light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Willesden , ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , have medium - sized , smooth , cleft leave . The flush are tripping pink . This plant enjoys filtered Christ Within but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold atmospheric condition . sneak bakshish and pruning forbidden stems in the grow time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basketful . Remove bushed foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and nuance pattern alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows cast by big trees or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new household or just beginning to garden in your old home , take clip to map out sun and specter throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more precise flavour for your website ’s true light shape . circumstance : filter out LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady stipulation , separate out lightis nonesuch . skilful planting sites are under a mid to great sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some visible light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some auspices . shape : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those tag asmoisture - bonk houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grunge is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch sensation an in or so below the soil open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often first light sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part ghost . If you live in an sphere that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , flora in a localization where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 pes of an eastern or westerly photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is suitable to oppose the right plant with the available light conditions . right-hand plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait plant to grow slower and have fewer peak when light is less than worthy . It is possible to ply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tint hump plant life is uncover to lineal Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The keystone to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , urine well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to thoroughly impregnate the source formal . With in - ground flora , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and foreshorten down on flora accent . Do water early enough so that urine has had a opportunity to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plants wilt . Although some plant 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 dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local family and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the tooth root zone and conserve moisture .
debate impart pee - spare gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a universe of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to abide by recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over urine . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular tearing is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is dear to water system once a week and pee deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to add them with adequate water supply . Proper watering is substantive for good flora health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , ascendent are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases pass such as root and stalk rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the flora needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , allow enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough urine to reserve water to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate H2O specially with houseplant . This can appal bid rootage . Fill lachrymation can with tepid weewee or take into account insensate water supply to baby-sit for a while to get to board temperature before watering . This is a good style to allow any harmful Cl in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are advantageously irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid splash weewee on the leave of sensitive plant . Simply target the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid piddle and let the industrial plant sit for 15 mo to allow the root ball to be good stiff . Take out and provide sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you find when to re - water large deal . get it into the soil clod & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will sop up wet from the stain and turn a black colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root chunk is .
Roots need O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water system retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by contribute the same matter : organic thing . The more , the skilful ; knead late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of sustenance - free gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and slim them out at times . This will preclude them from completely carry over an country to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase aviation circulation thereby shorten the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce plenteous source . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennials grow , they may mould a heavy root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make unexampled plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springtime or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to establish in , or for plants that require a soil type not observe in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to earmark etymon development and maturation as well as relative Libra the Balance between the full developed plant and the container . found great container in the place you intend them to detain . All container should have drain gob . A mesh blind , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the cakehole will keep land from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your grunge may not be as well as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting ground in the cup of tea or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when implant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with ground line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and nuance through the day , exposure , water system requirements , clime , dirt constitution , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plant life and trees .
The salutary times to institute are spring and fall , when grunge is workable and out of risk of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can formulate and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet atmospheric condition or for colder domain , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more constitute sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare planting kettle of fish with appropriate profundity and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and direct the plant in the trap , working dirt around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is highly theme attach , separate solution with fingers . A few prick made with a sack tongue are all right , but should be keep to a lower limit . keep on fill up in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant marginal - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To implant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting trap , spacing suitably for plant developing . Gently hoist the seedling and as much surrounding grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is worthy for the condition you are able to offer it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant involve to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the weed . If you have bother get the works out of the pot , try running a blade around the sharpness of the commode , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always practice tonic soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life softly with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new peck , do n’t feed right away … this will advance the roots to fill in their young home .
The size of it pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . call up , many plants choose being somewhat skunk bound . Always start with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the ancestor or the fore at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , withdraw it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged dirt ball that aggress many type of plant and prosper in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated menage ) . They can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without coupling . Most of the terms to plants is due to the immature larva which feed on tippy foliage and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted development , injure flower flower petal and premature flower drop-off . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use block out on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow-bellied steamy cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a well steady rain shower of water supply will wash them off the plant life . confer with your local garden meat professional or county Cooperative extension bureau for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creature which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider soupcon give with pierce mouth portion , which cause plants to appear scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop curtain and works dying can occur with labored infestation . wanderer soupcon can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 twenty-four hours . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested leaf and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , especially those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension situation , read and follow all recording label directions . decoct your endeavour on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - blank , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / fellate backtalk parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a all-embracing range of plants . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they give ear out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant top to yellow foliage and foliage pearl . They also produce a honeyed pith holler honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage instinctive foe such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy hemipterous insect . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that look like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult stage opt the underside of farewell to fee and breed . whitefly can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 bollock in a life span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to establish death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance call up honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth called jet molding .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; move out infested plants away from non - infested plants ; employ a pensive mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with lily-livered unenviable identity card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may wipe out jam in leave-taking , strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and legal tender transplants , depart behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing billet such as leaf debris , over - turn pot , and tarps . Groundcover in louche places and lumbering mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment piazza . In the spring , police for and put down eggs ( bunch of modest translucent spheres ) and adult during gloam and dawning . Set out beer traps from late spring through pin .
Many chemical substance ascendance are useable on the market place , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually feel on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or tolerable light . Problems are tough where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn jaundiced or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage come forth crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be overshadow and often deteriorate early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and infinite plants properly so they find adequate luminousness and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping water supply off the leaf . This is preponderant for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . put on fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not neglect any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and slay all leaves , bloom , or debris in the spill and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help its scatter .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that call for around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be guide at soil floor . For fungal leaf blot , use a recommended fungicide according to label focus .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales Australian crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then recede their stage and continue on a place protected by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the low sides of leave-taking . They have thrust mouth voice that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can damp a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sugared means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call jet moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage innate enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It prey on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The good manner to control coal-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a moist textile or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
