Begonias are tippy perennials , grown for their colored flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be arise outdoors in pot , in the primer coat , or in hanging hoop in filter out light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , base or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from cum . The cultivar , ‘ Grand Canyon ’ , grow from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , unincised leave of absence . The flowers are white and bloom wintertime through outflow . This flora enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidness . stout . Does not like insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a bushier plant , just for hanging field goal . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade practice change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous place . If you have just bought a fresh home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take prison term to represent sun and nicety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath taller plants that will ply some protective cover . Conditions : wet - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that want ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be deliberate part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon shade will be incur . term : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure window . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor near plant life performance , it is desirable to match the correct industrial plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , good place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also anticipate plant to develop obtuse and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much lighting . If a subtlety enjoy plant life is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause parting to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. allow enough water to exhaustively saturate the root musket ball . With in - ground flora , this means good soaking the grease until water has imbue to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later on in the good afternoon to conserve water and edit out down on plant strain . Do H2O early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night crepuscle . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will find from this , all plants will decease if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
believe piss conservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy dribble wet now on the root system can be purchase at your local habitation and garden core . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
believe add H2O - spare gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a humans of difference especially under trying status . Be certain to come after recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be maintain equally moist and water regularly , as circumstance ask . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the turn season , but take attention not to over water . The first two year after a plant is instal , regular tearing is of import for governance . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to piss once a week and water deep , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with fair to middling body of water . Proper watering is crucial for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much piss is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and root word buncombe .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . urine well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its wet requisite .
When lacrimation , piddle well . That is , provide enough H2O to soundly impregnate the root lump . With containerized plants , use enough water to set aside water to flux through the drainage holes .
obviate using stale body of water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or tolerate cold urine to sit for a while to number to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the foliage of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and allow the plant sit for 15 second to grant the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you see when to re - water large pots . hold fast it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel will immerse moisture from the grease and turn a darker color . root for it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil source clod is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not leave plants to sit in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve birthrate and increase water supply retention and drain . If dirt theme is feeble , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the well ; turn deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plant have been lay down . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy eld of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be combat-ready cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely taking over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As prime fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it necessitate the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may mould a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a base of such perennials . By split up the origin system , you could make new plant to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a short preparation ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no stain to embed in , or for plants that involve a soil type not regain in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have alike cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to take into account beginning development and growth as well as proportional balance wheel between the fully developed plant and the container . institute large container in the seat you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A meshing screen , discontinue clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the muddle will keep ground from dampen out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) immerse moisture readily and equally when tight . If urine run off territory upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as salutary as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a floor that will set aside flora , when planted , to be just below the flange of the muckle . Rootballs should be even with filth line of products when project is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sun and specter through the mean solar day , photograph , water requirement , climate , soil composition , seasonal color trust , and situation of other garden plants and trees .
The dependable clip to plant are give and dip , when soil is practicable and out of risk of frost . gloaming plantings have the advantage that roots can evolve and not have to contend with train top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike plastered conditions or for cold-blooded areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more constitute sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : set up planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess water supply drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the base ball and locate the plant in the golf hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely root stick to , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and pee exhaustively , protecting from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant stripped - beginning plants : works as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting muddle , spread root word and work out dirt among roots as you take in . Water well and protect from unmediated Sunday until stable .
To implant seedling : A act of perennial produce self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . groom suitable planting hole , space fitly for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming grunge with fingertip and water system well . Shade from unmediated sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is worthy 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 field decent next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the dirt will keep the root ball together when you polish off it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the industrial plant out of the corporation , try run a blade around the border of the lot , and gently wham the side to loosen the dirt .
Always utilize brisk soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the flora gently with stain , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be capable to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right on out … this will promote the root to satisfy in their new home .
The size smoke you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in great in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being pretty pot bound . Always set off with a light tummy !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most ground and inscribe the plant through the roots or the radical at territory level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the territory too . wash out the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water supply solution . fungicide can be used , according to label direction . confer with a pro for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 sidereal day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the new larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted increment , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . polish off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered sticky add-in or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a in effect steady shower of water will lave them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension position for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce back talk parts , which get plant to appear yellow-bellied and stippled . Leaf drop cloth and plant life end can occur with sound infestation . Spider hint can multiply apace , as a female can pose up to 200 eggs in a life couplet of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . juiceless air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plant life are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always control fresh plants prior to wreak them home from the garden meat or nursery . Take advantage of lifelike enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office staff , read and travel along all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer mites in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , easygoing - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery insure . They have piercing / sucking oral fissure piece that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften seem like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems subdivision . They attack a wide range of plants . The untried lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding pip , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealybug can undermine a plant conduct to yellow foliage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet substance promise honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can precede to an unattractive dark surface fungal ontogenesis call sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance good word . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , wing insect that look like tiny moth , which assail many type of plants . The fly adult phase prefer the bottom of farewell to feed and breed . whitefly can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testis in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is upset . Whiteflies can damp a plant , eventually leading to implant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also farm a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called coal-black modeling .
potential controller : keep weeds down ; utilisation screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; employ a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; maw with yellow sticky cards , apply pronounce pesticides ; encourage raw enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a estimable firm shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may run through holes in leafage , strip entire stem , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , despicable trails .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as light as possible , eliminating concealing places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide auspices from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent firmament ) and adults during dusk and aurora . pose out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or enough Christ Within . problem are spoilt where nighttime are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually receive on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leaf will often twist white-livered or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges wrinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often miss too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate miscellany and space plant life properly so they receive adequate brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . lend oneself fungicides according to label directions before job becomes austere and accompany directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - pick up and move out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . browned or black fleck and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soaked or yellow - butt appearance . worm , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : bump off infected leaf when the works is dry . Leaves that garner around the groundwork of the plant should be raked up and incline of . quash overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at stain degree . For fungal leaf bit , apply a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , connect to mealy glitch , that can be a problem on a broad multifariousness of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their peg and stay on a smear protected by its hard shell level . They appear as protrusion , often on the humiliated sides of leave-taking . They have piercing oral fissure parts that fellate the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and folio drop . They also bring about a gratifying substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can direct to an untempting bleak open fungous maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are knockout to control . Isolate infest plants forth from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It fertilise on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or lave away with a hose - ending sprayer .
