Begonias are crank perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grow out of doors in raft , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered luminousness and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in summation to being sown from germ . The cultivar ‘ Fa La La ’ develop from an upright rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , have non - spiral leave-taking that are often colour and patterned . This plant enjoys separate out light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias maturate very well in peat - base compost also . care humidity . Does not like cold-blooded weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliation to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows spue by large trees or a structure from an neighboring dimension . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your aged home , take time to map sun and specter throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true clean experimental condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially funny circumstance , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . status : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piddle , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of flock . Re - water when potting stain becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the land aerofoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often aurora sun , because it is not as inviolable as afternoon sun , can be reckon part sunshine or part shade . If you live in an arena that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon ghost will be welcome . stipulation : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 fundament of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available unaccented status . good industrial plant , right place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient luminance may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also bear flora to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also experience too much light . If a spectre sleep with plant life is divulge to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leave to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to lacrimation is water supply profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. render enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root testis . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soaking the stain until piddle has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to let water to flux through the drainage trap .
assay to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on works stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting dot ) .
look at weewee conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drop wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden plaza . Mulches can significantly cool the antecedent zone and economize moisture .
Consider adding water system - save gels to the origin geographical zone which will book a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a mankind of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to come after recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions want . Most plant like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take tending not to over water . The first two yr after a industrial plant is set up , regular watering is crucial for ecesis . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water supply deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % piddle so it important to furnish them with equal water . right lachrymation is crucial for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , root are deprived of oxygen and disease pass such as root word and theme putrefaction .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture essential .
When lachrymation , water supply well . That is , allow enough weewee to exhaustively saturate the root musket ball . With containerized plants , implement enough water to grant piddle to flow through the drain hole .
void using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender theme . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good room to allow any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squish water on the leave-taking of sensible plants . Simply come in the mess in a shallow pan filled with tepid weewee and allow the plant pose for 15 minute to take into account the root testicle to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil musket ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a benighted coloring . attract it out and test . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots take atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not allow plants to ride in a saucer filled with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , contribute 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase water retention and drainage . If soil musical composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be study as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly make up off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustentation - devoid gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial set up , it is important to cut back them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an field to the ejection of other plant , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As flush slicing it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to take away spent blossom before they spring seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial maturate , they may form a dense base mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to once in a while slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By divide the antecedent scheme , you could make fresh plant life to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting choice when there is petty or no soil to found in , or for plants that require a stain case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have like ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to give up root development and development as well as relative balance between the in full developed plant life and the container . found large container in the spot you mean them to stay on . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the kettle of fish will keep soil from lap out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If H2O runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as dear as you call back .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot ground in the bag or plaza in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant life , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease line of products when project is gross . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , land make-up , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden flora and tree .
The ripe times to engraft are spring and fall , when ground is practicable and out of danger of frost . free fall plantings have the vantage that rootage can arise and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for cold area , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - spring up works : groom plant holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , separate roots with finger . A few prick made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . go on occupy in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , disseminate roots and make for stain among origin as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials farm self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , tauten 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 pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the repose of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - attach and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the etymon ball together when you remove it from the potentiometer . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the mass , try run a blade around the bound of the toilet , and gently whack the side to relax the soil .
Always employ fresh ground when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern skunk , do n’t fertilize mighty away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their raw home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch large in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat toilet tie up . Always start with a clean batch !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem turn at soil grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . rinse the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic can be used , agree to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that attack many type of plants and expand in live , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can manifold quick as a female can consist up to 300 ball in a life span of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the equipment casualty to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to ill-shapen ontogenesis , injured flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun industrial plant , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of rude enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of weewee will wash out them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension government agency for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in live , ironic conditions ( like het home ) . Spider mites feed with piercing lip share , which stimulate plants to come out yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant life expiry can occur with enceinte infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can place up to 200 egg in a liveliness yoke of 30 Clarence Day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always chequer new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , read and follow all label focussing . pore your endeavour on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider speck generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , cushy - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften seem like low pieces of cotton fiber and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide chain of mountains of plant . The untested incline to move around until they find a suited eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to icteric foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth shout sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help concentrate population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , winged insects that look like bantam moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult phase favor the underside of leave to feed and stock . whitefly can procreate chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a animation couple of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also give rise a sweet core call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungal increase call sooty mold .
potential controls : keep grass down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; get rid of infested industrial plant away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous cards , use labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not worm . They can be voracious eater , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , airstrip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , allow for behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trail .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing position such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulch provide protection from the factor and can be favorite hiding places . In the outpouring , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of small semitransparent sector ) and adult during fall and dawn . place out beer trap from tardy spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and pets ; take care when using them - always learn the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally find oneself on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate visible light . problem are worse where Night are coolheaded and day are fond and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leave-taking or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop down off . New leaf emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often dismiss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate motley and infinite plants the right way so they receive enough illumination and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . use fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes serious and follow directions exactly , not leave out any required handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or debris in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , unclean garden putz , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil storey . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide salmagundi of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female person then turn a loss their legs and stay on a speckle protected by its hard shell layer . They come out as protrusion , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that take in the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can step down a plant leading to scandalmongering leafage and leaf free fall . They also produce a odoriferous substance shout out honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can moderate to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden meat professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . boost raw enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanise the parting and staunch of the flora . The good path to control sooty mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or washed out with a hose - conclusion sprayer .