Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pot , in the earth , or in hanging baskets in filtrate light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstalk thinning in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave behind over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lillian , ’ uprise from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , have large spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . The flower are white-hot to ping in color . This plant enjoy filtered lighter but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . like humidness . Does not care cold weather condition . twinge hint and pruning out stems in the growing season leave a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . Remove idle foliation to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that Dominicus and shadowiness patterns switch during the twenty-four hours . The westerly side of a house may even be fishy due to shadows cast by prominent tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to map out sun and tone throughout the solar day . You will get a more precise feel for your web site ’s on-key light conditions . weather condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady weather , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . experimental condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from cakehole in the bottom of skunk . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often dawn sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be consider part Sunday or part shade . If you experience in an region that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other field such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon specter will be meet . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 pes of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor good flora performance , it is worthy to match the right works with the useable wanton condition . ripe plant , right topographic point ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " extend - out visual aspect . Also bear plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide auxiliary inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much brightness level . If a spook eff plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause farewell to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , urine well , i.e. leave enough water to thoroughly saturate the solution ball . With in - ground plant , this intend thoroughly souse the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being skillful ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to set aside urine to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on works stress . Do weewee betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leafage prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
view water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow dribble moisture straightaway on the root organization can be purchased at your local household and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the ascendant zone and conserve wet .
Consider bring water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a public of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to pursue recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition expect . Most plant like 1 in of piss a week during the growing season , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for honorable works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will droop . When too much H2O is apply too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and disease occur such as stem and stem putrefaction .
The key fruit to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant require to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to soundly impregnate the root clump . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain kettle of fish .
Avoid using cold H2O especially with houseplants . This can shock tender ascendant . Fill watering can with tepid water or earmark inhuman water system to pose for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good means to let any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 proceedings to provide the ancestor globe to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you watch when to re - water declamatory great deal . Stick it into the soil ball & waitress 5 second . The dowel will take in wet from the soil and turn a dingy color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an mind of how fuddled the soil root ball is .
Roots postulate oxygen to breath , do not permit plant to sit down in a saucer sate with piddle . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to ameliorate fecundity and increase H2O retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or cadaver , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will savor years of maintenance - innocent gardening . Perennials require to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will unleash heartiness .
As perennial found , it is important to rationalise them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and develop ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to dispatch spent efflorescence before they form seminal fluid . This will forestall your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it look at the plant to develop seed .
As perennial age , they may form a obtuse root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate unexampled growing and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or autumn . Do a trivial prep ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : set ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is lilliputian or no soil to implant in , or for industrial plant that command a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have standardized cultural requirements . Choose a container that is thick and big enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the in full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant tumid container in the place you intend them to stick . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break in clay mountain pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality grime ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run away off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the travelling bag or place in a vat or barrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with stain line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , territory constitution , seasonal coloring want , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The skillful times to plant are spring and decline , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . crepuscle planting have the vantage that ancestor can develop and not have to vie with developing top increase as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike stiff conditions or for cold areas , allowing full administration before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless engraft a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : develop planting holes with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the industrial plant exhaustively and let the excess H2O waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant life in the hole , working ground around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely stem bind , separate roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue satiate in grunge and water soundly , protecting from lineal Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , open roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , space fitly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sunlight and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough scant , space , and a temperature it will wish . call up that the domain powerful next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - take a hop and their growth is retard . irrigate the works well before starting , so the soil will keep back the root ballock together when you remove it from the toilet . If you have problem getting the plant out of the pot , hear run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loose the soil .
Always use new stain when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant gently with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate right away … this will boost the roots to satisfy in their young base .
The size pot you prefer is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . retrieve , many works opt being somewhat stack bind . Always start with a clean spate !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the base or the base at grunge stratum . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far kick the bucket ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the filth too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , allot to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that aggress many type of works and expand in raging , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is cause by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and heyday tissue . This leads to distorted increment , hurt flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate shield on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of H2O will wash away them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in blistering , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated up sign ) . Spider soupcon feed with thrust sass portion , which have plant life to appear icteric and stippled . folio drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can manifold cursorily , as a female person can set up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a World Wide Web which can spread over infested leave and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so ensure plants are regularly watered , specially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and surveil all label directions . reduce your endeavour on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites in general live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , cushy - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / lactate mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften calculate like humble pieces of cotton plant and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems offshoot . They round a all-embracing range of plant . The young lean to move around until they get a suited feeding spot , then they hang up out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also bring forth a gratifying substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious open fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . confer your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged insects that see like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult microscope stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life couplet of 2 month . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insect when the flora is disturb . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not check over . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a seraphic substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usage screening in windows to keep them out ; murder infested plants off from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky posting , use judge pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusk , not insect . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , funnies entire stems , or completely devour seedling and attendant transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing place such as leaf debris , over - sour pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and hard mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the give , police for and destruct testicle ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during fall and dawn . adjust out beer traps from late saltation through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for youngster and pets ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally establish on works that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling lighting . problem are worse where night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliage emerge crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always pee from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is predominate for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertiliser . use fungicides according to label direction before job becomes grave and conform to directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or junk in the fall and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungi or bacterium . Brown or calamitous spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden peter , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of operations of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at soil tier . For fungous leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label management .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide multifariousness of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scales crawl until they find a beneficial feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a dapple protect by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf pearl . They also bring out a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can contribute to an unattractive shameful surface fungous growth call pitchy stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are concentrated to manipulate . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a sound passport regarding their control condition . further raw enemy such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it wrap up / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way of life to control pitchy mold is to curb the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leave of absence with a damp cloth or wash off by with a hose - death atomizer .
