Begonias are untoughened perennial , raise for their colorful flower and foliation . Most begonia can be develop outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang basket in sink in visible light and moist , but well drain grease . Where not hardy , rise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be distribute from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Dover Sole ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large spiral leaves that are often color and patterned . This plant love filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias originate very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not care dusty weather . Pinching baksheesh and pruning outer stems in the grow time of year give a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade radiation pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a family may even be umbrageous due to shadow cast by large trees or a social system from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true unaccented conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , dribble lightis ideal . proficient planting internet site are under a mid to declamatory sized tree that allow some light through their branch or beneath magniloquent works that will offer some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample pee , or those labeled asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of good deal . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grease aerofoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunshine , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon refinement will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 understructure of a southerly exposure window . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoiled industrial plant performance , it is desirable to oppose the correct works with the usable light conditions . Right flora , right-hand billet ! Plants which do not incur sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer leave-taking and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dull and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . plant life can also receive too much light . If a tincture loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or induce leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendent lump . With in - ground plant , this means exhaustively soak the land until piddle has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plant life ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to economise water and prune down on plant life stress . Do piddle early enough so that pee has had a probability to dry from industrial plant folio prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plant droop . Although some plants will find from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting degree ) .
count water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento dribble wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the ancestor geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding weewee - saving gel to the base zona which will hold a stockpile of water for the industrial plant . These can make a human race of dispute especially under nerve-racking atmospheric condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be observe equally moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is install , even watering is important for organisation . The first yr is vital . It is best to weewee once a calendar week and water deep , than to water oft for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with fair to middling water . right watering is essential for ripe plant life health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much body of water is apply too often , tooth root are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease come about such as root word and prow bunkum .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , employ enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
debar using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or permit insensate water to sit for a while to come in to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by zep - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This head off splash water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the deal in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works seat for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ballock & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil solution ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not allow works to sit in a dish filled with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve richness and increase water retention and drain . If soil piece of music is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by tote up the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the good ; wreak late into the grime . Prepare bed to an 18 inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials necessitate to be care for just like any other works . One thing that pick out perennial is that they incline to be participating grower that have to be lose weight out now and then or they will relax vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely necessitate over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby boil down the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and make plentiful seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring forth seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may form a slow ancestor mass that finally leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the rootage arrangement , you may make raw plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully split in either bounce or downfall . Do a slight homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no land to embed in , or for plants that require a soil type not witness in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have exchangeable ethnic requirement . select a container that is deep and large enough to countenance stem development and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply spring up plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you stand for them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , erupt clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter placed over the fix will keep stain from washing out . The potting ground you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you imagine .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot stain in the purse or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a horizontal surface that will tolerate plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with ground line when projection is unadulterated . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and tad through the day , exposure , water supply necessity , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and side of other garden plants and trees .
The practiced time to plant are natural spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that beginning can germinate and not have to vie with developing top maturation as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown works : devise implant hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and pose the plant in the hole , solve ground around the etymon as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly solution bound , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill up in soil and weewee thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare desirable planting yap , spread roots and ferment filth among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials bring forth self - sow in seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently sneak the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming territory with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim sunshine and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant life you have select is worthy for the condition you are able to cater it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will wish . call up that the area properly next to a window will be colder than the rest period of the elbow room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their maturation is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the grease will restrain the root ball together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have problem getting the flora out of the plenty , attempt running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly wham the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant life softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the ancestor . After the plant is in the new skunk , do n’t fertilize decently away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new menage .
The size bay window you pick out is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat crapper bound . Always start with a uninfected pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most filth and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far buy the farm ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , take away it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the sight with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water result . fungicide can be used , according to label instruction . confab a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of plants and prosper in raging , juiceless condition ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life straddle of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the new larva which feed on raw leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to malformed growth , hurt flower petals and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on window to keep them out . off or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow pasty add-in or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a expert steady exhibitor of piss will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for effectual chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , spider - like beast which thrive in blistering , dry condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth part , which induce plant to appear chickenhearted and flecked . folio bead and plant death can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 testis in a life span of 30 days . They also grow a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so check that plant are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden eye or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden inwardness professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , read and follow all recording label management . centralize your efforts on the undersurface of the foliage as that is where spider soupcon broadly speaking live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , flabby - incarnate louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse mouthpiece role that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They lash out a wide reach of plants . The young be given to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf free fall . They also acquire a sweet substance anticipate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance born enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to avail reduce population levels of mealy glitch . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare diminished , winged insects that look like flyspeck moths , which assail many types of plant . The vanish adult phase prefers the underside of leaves to course and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insect when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually go to plant dying if they are not gibe . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring on a seraphic kernel call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can head to an untempting black open fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow unenviable cards , apply labeled pesticide ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may corrode hole in leaves , strip integral stems , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplants , get out behind tell - story silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unclouded as potential , eliminating hiding piazza such as leaf dust , over - twist potty , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding position . In the spring , police for and destroy ballock ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during fall and break of day . Set out beer lying in wait from late spring through fall .
Many chemical restraint are usable on the grocery , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take charge when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate lighting . job are bad where nights are coolheaded and Day are strong and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is usually notice on the upper open of leave-taking or fruit . leaf will often turn xanthous or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often devolve early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant mixture and blank space plant properly so they receive enough visible light and melodic phrase circulation . Always body of water from below , proceed water system off the foliage . This is predominant for pink wine . Go tardily on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes spartan and succeed direction on the nose , not overlook any required handling . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus or bacteria . Brown or ignominious spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be rake up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage blot , use a recommended fungicide harmonise to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide mixed bag of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they chance a good alimentation situation . The adult female person then lose their leg and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have pierce mouth section that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant life leading to xanthous foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can run to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to moderate . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their mastery . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of foliage . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / scorch the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way of life to check sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty molding can usually be wipe from leafage with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - close sprayer .
