Begonias are lovesome perennial , farm for their colourful prime and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in skunk , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminousness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , arise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sow from seed . The cultivar ‘ Eppley ’ spring up from a creeping rootstalk . The foliation is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , cleft leaves . The many flowers are pink and blossom February through April . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias originate very well in peat - free-base compost also . care humidness . Hardy . Does not care cold atmospheric condition . pinch top and pruning outer stem in the rise season gives a bushier plant life , good for hanging hoop . Remove dead foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade convention change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to phantasma drift by large Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map out sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s dead on target light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that favor partially shadowed weather , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to enceinte sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some twinkle through their branch or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . weather condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from muddle in the bottom of pile . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the pinch an inch or so below the dirt aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer visible radiation that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often forenoon sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an surface area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . experimental condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available light status . Right flora , right home ! flora which do not get sufficient spark may become sick in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . works can also receive too much light . If a shade have sex plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is H2O deeply and less frequently . When watering , water system well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the base nut . With in - ground plant life , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to feed through the drain trap .
attempt to water works betimes in the daytime or later in the good afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on flora emphasis . Do water betimes enough so that H2O has had a probability to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water system until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recuperate from this , all plants will go if they droop too much ( when they extend to the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slow drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local place and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and preserve moisture .
regard adding pee - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water system for the industrial plant . These can make a world of dispute particularly under stressful conditions . Be sealed to come after label focal point for their exercise .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be hold evenly moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable lachrymation is significant for governing body . The first year is critical . It is right to water once a week and water deeply , than to water supply oft for a few mo . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water . Proper tearing is substantive for serious plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , theme are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as stem and stem rotting .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - water accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With containerized plants , utilize enough piss to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
annul using cold water supply especially with houseplant . This can outrage tender root . filling watering can with tepid water or let cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a honest mode to allow any harmful chlorine in the weewee to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply set the pot in a shallow goat god occupy with tepid water and have the plant sit for 15 minutes to take into account the root word ball to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
habituate an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water large sess . beat it into the land ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will soak up moisture from the territory and turn a grim color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how soused the soil root ball is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breath , do not admit plants to sit in a discus filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water keeping and drain . If soil composition is weakly , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or cadaver , it can be improved by tote up the same thing : organic topic . The more , the dear ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be care for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to snip them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will keep them from completely taking over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As rosiness fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they forge seed . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it takes the flora to grow seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense stem batch that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennials . By dividing the root scheme , you’re able to make fresh plants to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either springiness or twilight . Do a small 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 institute in , or for plants that require a soil case not establish in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If grow more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and tumid enough to allow ascendant development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed flora and the container . constitute big container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , broken Lucius Clay toilet pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from moisten out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take up wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water system runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your territory may not be as practiced as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . make full container about halfway full or to a tier that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with dirt crease when project is perfect . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the mean solar day , pic , water requirement , climate , grunge makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are leaping and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of frost . crepuscle planting have the advantage that roots can explicate and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allow full formation before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more build sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : devise planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and allow the excess water supply drain before cautiously murder from the container . cautiously loosen the etymon ball and place the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root recoil , disjoined beginning with digit . A few slits made with a scoop knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . persist in filling in ground and water exhaustively , protect from lineal sunshine until static .
To imbed bare - radical plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , diffuse ascendent and work soil among etymon as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To establish seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also bulge out your own seedling layer for transplanting . set up suitable planting fix , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly come up the seedling and as much fence soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water supply regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a prominent container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the dirt will obligate the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whop the side to loosen the grime .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . fulfill around the plant lightly with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want gentle wind to be capable to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pile , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the beginning to fill in their new habitation .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat smoke bound . Always go with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most filth and enters the plant through the ancestor or the stem at grime level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lacrimation . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , move out it . If your plant life is in a container , throw out the soil too . Wash the mint with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label way . confab a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that aggress many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a spirit yoke of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is make by the untested larvae which feed on tender leaf and heyday tissue . This leads to distorted emergence , injured flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and apply sieve on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed sticky cards or take advantage of innate opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless status ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites bung with piercing rima oris component part , which do plants to seem yellow and flecked . Leaf drop and plant dying can happen with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 bollock in a life-time twosome of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can cover infested parting and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plants . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so make certain flora are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center field or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension agency , interpret and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly speaking survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leave and stems subdivision . They attack a wide range of plant life . The young tend to move around until they obtain a suitable alimentation billet , then they flow out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant conduct to yellow leafage and leaf drop cloth . They also bring about a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting shameful airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden meat professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . further natural enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help boil down universe level of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that front like flyspeck moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup leg prefers the underside of folio to tip and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can rest up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to engraft death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can run to an unattractive disastrous open fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; utilization screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky card , hold labeled pesticides ; further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dependable unfluctuating shower bath of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be esurient eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may feed yap in leaves , strip show entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing places such as folio rubble , over - turned mountain , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspect places and heavy mulches provide security from the element and can be pet hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of minuscule translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dayspring . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and darling ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are worse where dark are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of foliage or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank plants properly so they receive fair to middling lighter and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply antifungal according to recording label directions before job becomes severe and stick to directions exactly , not miss any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungi or bacteria . browned or black-market bit and temporary hookup may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - butt against appearance . insect , rain , muddy garden dick , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that amass around the alkali of the plant should be rake up and put away of . keep off overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be take at soil level . For fungous foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are louse , connect to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . youthful scales creeping until they rule a good alimentation site . The adult female then lose their leg and persist on a maculation protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth piece that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can step down a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweetened substance forebode honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can result to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous increment forebode sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once demonstrate they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage rude foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is discover on the surface of leaves . It flow on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant life . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a moist material or wash away with a hose - end spray .
