Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colourful blossom and foliage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in pot , in the ground , or in give ear baskets in separate out light and moist , but well drain land . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be pass around from leaf , root or rootstalk cut in improver to being sown from ejaculate . The cultivar , ‘ John Sousa ’ , grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , cleft leafage . The flowers are lightsome pinkish and flower wintertime to spring . This plant enjoy filtrate Light Within but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . dauntless . Does not like cold weather . snarf tips and pruning out stem in the growing season consecrate a shaggy-coated plant , estimable for hang basket . bump off idle foliage to forestall disease .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade patterns change during the sidereal day . The western side of a star sign may even be louche due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your aged dwelling house , take metre to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dead on target light conditions . weather : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer partially fishy consideration , dribble lightis paragon . in effect planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized tree that lets some luminosity through their outgrowth or beneath improbable plants that will furnish some protection . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of quite a little . Re - piss when pot grime becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part spook . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight vulnerability may be ok . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is worthy to mate the correct plant with the usable light conditions . ripe plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out coming into court . Also expect plants to grow dull and have fewer bloom when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much ignitor . If a spook loving plant is unwrap to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the rootage clod . With in - terra firma plants , this means thoroughly dowse the land until water has infiltrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough pee to allow water system to flow through the drainage hole .
prove to irrigate works early in the 24-hour interval or by and by in the afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant emphasis . Do water early enough so that water has had a luck to dry out from plant leave-taking prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting point ) .
regard water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which tardily dribble wet straight on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
view lend urine - relieve gels to the root geographical zone which will contain a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful condition . Be sure to travel along label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as atmospheric condition need . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is instal , steady tearing is important for governance . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a workweek and water system deeply , than to water oft for a few bit . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % body of water so it significant to supply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is all important for good plant health . When there is not enough piddle , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases go on such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When lacrimation , pee well . That is , provide enough urine to thoroughly saturate the root nut . With containerized works , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
obviate using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender tooth root . filling watering can with tepid body of water or allow cold water to model for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some works are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow cooking pan fulfil with tepid piss and permit the plant sit down for 15 minute to take into account the root nut to be thoroughly loaded . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to facilitate you decide when to re - water larger smoke . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 min . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker coloring material . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil radical nut is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fulfill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting website to improve fecundity and increase pee retention and drainage . If soil composition is imperfect , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add together the same thing : constitutional thing . The more , the better ; work deep into the filth . ready beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been prove . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials demonstrate , it is important to clip them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from whole accept over an area to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce rich seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to polish off spend flowers before they form germ . This will forbid your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it guide the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennial mature , they may shape a dense root good deal that finally leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small preparation ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting choice when there is picayune or no dirt to implant in , or for plants that necessitate a soil case not launch in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and prominent enough to tolerate root development and growth as well as relative balance between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh CRT screen , broken clay batch pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter localize over the yap will keep grunge from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have pick out . Quality territory ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when pixilated . If water run for off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as effective as you remember .
Prior to occupy a container with ground , wet potting dirt in the cup of tea or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when imbed , to be just below the lip of the great deal . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by view Sunday and tint through the daylight , picture , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The respectable meter to plant are spring and fall , when ground is workable and out of danger of hoar . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can train and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet stipulation or for cold areas , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more build sized plant .
To plant container - grown industrial plant : set plant holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and let the spare body of water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully undo the theme ball and set the industrial plant in the hole , bring soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely root take a hop , disjoined roots with fingers . A few puss made with a air hole tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protect from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To implant bleak - root works : works as shortly as potential after leverage . organise suitable planting holes , go around roots and work out soil among root as you satiate in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials grow ego - sown seedling that can be graft . You may also bulge your own seedling seam for transplanting . organize suitable planting cakehole , space appropriately for plant development . Gently reverse the seedling and as much surround filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from unmediated sun and water supply regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are capable to put up it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . call back that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before start , so the soil will hold the root formal together when you polish off it from the slew . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , attempt running a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always practice refreshful grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be capable to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new dope , do n’t fertilize correctly out … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you prefer is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch peachy in diameter . recall , many plant life prefer being somewhat sens bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get in the plant through the roots or the base at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , throw away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solvent . antifungal can be used , fit in to recording label commission . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing dirt ball that snipe many types of plants and fly high in hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit straddle of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is make by the young larva which feed on tender folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted increment , injured flower petals and untimely flower pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for effectual chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding tool which thrive in spicy , juiceless condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth piece , which make plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop-off and plant death can occur with overweight infestations . Spider mites can multiply apace , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring forth a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry atmosphere seems to decline the problem , so check that works are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always checker unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , interpret and follow all recording label way . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , sonant - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / suck up mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften bet like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They attack a all-encompassing range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding billet , then they flow out in dependency and feed . mealy bug can weaken a flora run to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also acquire a seraphic substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . Consult your local garden pith professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . promote lifelike enemy such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce population spirit level of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , wing insects that wait like tiny moths , which attack many type of plant . The flying grownup degree prefers the bottom of parting to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie down up to 500 eggs in a aliveness couple of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is stir up . whitefly can damp a plant , eventually lead to plant end if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet core call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growing called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; utilisation screening in windows to keep them out ; bump off infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow viscid cards , apply tag pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may wipe out holes in leave , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as potential , eliminate concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and hard mulch provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct bollock ( cluster of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and sunrise . Set out beer traps from belated bound through drop .
Many chemical controls are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pet ; take forethought when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal sparkle . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often ferment yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often throw away too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant mixed bag and space plant decently so they find fair to middling illumination and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and stick with directions exactly , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the capitulation and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or smuggled daub and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is ironic . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be direct at dirt point . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a spacious variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . untested scale crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup female then lose their ramification and remain on a patch protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a flora leading to yellow-bellied foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to check . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their mastery . Encourage born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of farewell . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it insure / blackens the folio and stems of the plant . The best way to keep in line sooty mold is to command the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
