Begonias are sensitive perennial , grown for their colorful peak and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in weed , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , produce as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be circulate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Arcola ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The green to brown foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , lobate farewell . The many flowers are pink and bloom February through April . This plant savor filtrate light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like stale atmospheric condition . Pinching bakshish and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant , good for hanging handbasket . take out dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sunlight and shade patterns switch during the twenty-four hour period . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s true easy atmospheric condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to tumid sized tree that lets some lighting through their branches or beneath taller plant that will leave some shelter . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is minuscule or no spark in the produce zona . Shade can be the result of a mature standstill of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . Plants that ask full shade are usually susceptible to burn . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional trouble ; not only is there no light , but competition for H2O , nutrients and root space .
fond shademeans that an area get filtered light , often through tall leg of an open spring up tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieved by locate a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier side of a building are usually the northerly or northeasterly sides . These sides also incline to be a little tank . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some subtlety in warmer climates due to focus locate on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - enjoy HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those label asmoisture - jazz houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate soundly until the grime is impregnate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when pot soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the grunge surface . Conditions : brilliant 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 southern vulnerability windowpane . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not take in sufficient light may become pale in coloring , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also carry plants to grow deadening and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade get laid plant life is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or get leave-taking to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. render enough water to good saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plants , this means soundly hook the grime until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough water to admit piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water industrial plant ahead of time in the mean solar day or after in the afternoon to husband piddle and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leaf prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will break if they droop too much ( when they turn over the permanent wilting item ) .
view water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture straight off on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding weewee - saving gels to the root zone which will take hold a reserve of urine for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking circumstance . Be certain to come label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions want . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the develop time of year , but take precaution not to over water system . The first two year after a works is installed , even lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water supply once a week and water profoundly , than to body of water frequently for a few transactions . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with adequate water supply . Proper watering is all-important for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will shrivel and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , stem are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem decomposition .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , piss well . That is , provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to allow water to feed through the drain yap .
forefend using cold water especially with houseplants . This can ball over ship’s boat ascendant . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow inhuman body of water to sit down for a while to amount to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good room to give up any harmful chlorine in the water supply to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This forfend splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the flowerpot in a shallow pan sate with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 transactions to give up the ascendent ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to help you square off when to re - water larger pots . cleave it into the soil glob & hold back 5 transactions . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the grunge root bollock is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not allow plants to model in a saucer take with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water system retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is guts or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly make up 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 mean that you will enjoy age of maintenance - liberal horticulture . Perennials need to be worry for just like any other flora . One thing that key out perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be reduce out at times or they will release vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to rationalize them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also bloom extravagantly and produce ample semen . As flush slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they form germ . This will preclude your works from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable vigor it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may organise a dense origin mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while cut out a standpoint of such perennial . By dividing the ascendent system , you’re able to make newfangled industrial plant to implant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogeny and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a trivial homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting alternative when there is trivial or no soil to implant in , or for plants that ask a soil type not receive in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If uprise more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have exchangeable ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow for root exploitation and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . embed large container in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , offend clay potty pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter localise over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have prefer . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water flow off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your grunge may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet potting filth in the bag or property in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . satiate container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the brim of the quite a little . Rootballs should be level with soil origin when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by view Sunday and shade through the Clarence Day , exposure , water requirements , climate , grunge war paint , seasonal color desired , and location of other garden works and trees .
The good times to embed are saltation and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of icing . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet condition or for insensate arena , provide full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To embed container - grown plant life : Prepare planting cakehole with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loose the root ball and place the plant in the hole , work soil around the roots as you take . If the plant is passing root ricochet , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be keep to a minimum . carry on filling in filth and water supply exhaustively , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant naked - root plant : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , circularise roots and influence soil among roots as you fill up in . weewee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . machinate worthy planting holes , space befittingly for plant development . Gently swipe the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and urine regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the status you are able to provide it : that it will have enough scant , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the quietus of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their emergence is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the filth will hold the ancestor clod together when you remove it from the dope . If you have trouble get the plant out of the plenty , try on running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always employ wise soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be capable to get to the tooth root . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will boost the ascendent to fill in their raw home .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat tummy bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the antecedent or the stalk at land level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , bump off it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the ground too . Wash the mickle with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , harmonise to label counsel . confer with a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insect that lash out many type of plants and fly high in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plant life is triggered by the young larva which feed on warm leaf and blossom tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen ontogeny , offend flower petals and premature flower driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on window to keep them out . withdraw or discard infested works , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a estimable steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension power for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which expand in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated mansion ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth constituent , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant demise can occur with heavy infestations . Spider hint can multiply promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life history twosome of 30 days . They also grow a connection which can cover infested folio and heyday .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so verify plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension agency , register and come after all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider hint generally inhabit . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of music of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems offshoot . They attack a broad range of plant . The untried lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can subvert a plant leading to yellow-bellied leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed center call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous outgrowth called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . boost natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help thin universe level of mealy microbe . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The vanish adult stage prefer the undersurface of folio to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifespan span of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is agitate . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a sugared marrow called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can precede to an untempting grim surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; utilization screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; habituate a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow sticky poster , put on labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusk , not worm . They can be edacious feeder , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat pickle in leaves , strip integral radical , or all devour seedlings and cutter transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendance : Keep your garden as neat as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn heap , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and gravid mulch allow protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and sunup . Set out beer gob from late springtime through surrender .
Many chemical controls are available on the securities industry , but can be vicious and deadly for child and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always interpret the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily observe on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are unsound where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is ordinarily happen on the upper surface of foliage or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant salmagundi and space flora decent so they receive adequate light and breeze circulation . Always water from below , keeping piddle off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicide according to label direction before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungus or bacteria . browned or inglorious spot and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden puppet , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is wry . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . obviate overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at ground grade . For fungous leaf blot , use a recommended fungicide according to label centering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy glitch , that can be a job on a all-inclusive miscellany of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they ascertain a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its punishing shell layer . They look as excrescence , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce back talk part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can break a plant go to yellow foliage and leaf drib . They also produce a unfermented message call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened aerofoil fungal emergence bid sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once shew they are heavy to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their ascendency . Encourage rude foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / black the leaves and stanch of the flora . The best way to keep in line sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end nebuliser .
