Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in percolate Christ Within and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , fore or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . This shaggy begonia has attractive leaf and is stocky . The many flowers are white , blossom winter through bounce . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant enjoys filtered visible radiation but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to darkness cast by big trees or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bribe a unexampled home or just get to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and spook throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feeling for your website ’s true weak conditions . weather condition : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . dependable planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light source through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no brightness level in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the issue of a mature rack of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . Plants that require full shade are unremarkably susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may beat extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrients and root blank .
fond shademeans that an country pick up filter light , often through tall branches of an open grow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieve by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like complex body part . funny face of a building are unremarkably the northerly or northeastern side . These side also run to be a slight cooler . It is not uncommon for works that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to need some shade in warm clime due to tenseness placed on the plant from reduced moisture and unreasonable high temperature . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of tummy . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the prow tips of a immature plant life to promote branch . Doing this fend off the need for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the tree trunk . This may be done to open up the inside of a plant to let more visible radiation in and to increase zephyr circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The expert way to begin thinning is to start by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the aerofoil of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desire shape of a hedge or topiary .
regenerate is remotion of old ramification or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to furbish up its original form and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a time . retrieve to remove branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various top so that industrial plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to mate the correct plant with the available light atmospheric condition . Right plant life , veracious place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " load - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have fewer blooms when light source is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the surface , it maybe diverted to a drainage ditch . If drain is poor where water tabular array is gamy , instal an underground drain scheme . You should contact a contractor for this . If clandestine drains already exist , check to see if they are blocked .
French drains are another choice . French drain are ditches that have been filled with gravel . It is ok to implant sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , think of the Gallic drain as a ditch filled with crushed rock . Ditches should be 3 to 4 groundwork deep and have sloping sides .
A soakway is a gravel filled pit where water is diverted to via underground pipe . This works well on site that have pack stain . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with gravel or jam stone , topped with moxie and sod or seed .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to deviate urine onto other people ’s prop . If you do not feel that you’re able to implement a workable solution on your own , call a contractile organ . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman depends 100 % on born rainfall . Even the most H2O witting garden appreciates the proper hosiery , lacrimation can or wand .
The samara to watering is water supply deeply and less frequently . When watering , urine well , i.e. provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - terra firma flora , this means thoroughly surcharge the soil until water has click to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to fall through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plant early in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leave-taking prior to night evenfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pass away if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting degree ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which slowly dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local menage and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and husband wet .
conceive adding water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful experimental condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be preserve equally moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of H2O a calendar week during the growing season , but take attention not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable lacrimation is significant for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to water once a week and piddle deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few transactions . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it authoritative to add them with adequate water . Proper watering is all important for good plant health . When there is not enough body of water , root will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , antecedent are impoverish of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant postulate to be re - watered according to its wet necessity .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root testicle . With containerized plants , apply enough water to permit water to flux through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold piddle especially with houseplants . This can floor tender roots . filling watering can with tepid urine or allow cold urine to model for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a adept way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water supply to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This nullify splashing water on the leaves of sensible plants . only commit the hatful in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and let the plant sit for 15 moment to allow the root nut to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger grass . pose it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will soak up moisture from the grease and become a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil radical clod is .
source need atomic number 8 to breath , do not set aside plants to sit around in a saucer filled with piss . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Day before planting , tot 2 to 4 in of cured manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting internet site to improve prolificacy and increase water system retentivity and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or the Great Compromiser , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work on deep into the grime . ready beds to an 18 inch abstruse for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay 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 mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennials lay down , it is important to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely submit over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase aviation circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As rosiness fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop prime before they form cum . This will keep your flora from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it take the plant to raise cum .
As perennials mature , they may constitute a heavy root hatful that eventually take to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the origin arrangement , you could make new plant life to institute in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern emergence and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split in either spring or crepuscule . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting choice when there is little or no dirt to institute in , or for plants that ask a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make indisputable that all have like ethnical requirements . pick out a container that is deep and big enough to allow root development and increment as well as proportional balance wheel between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the station you mean them to stay put . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter invest over the maw will keep dirt from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) take in wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water lean off ground upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet pot soil in the suitcase or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fulfill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when set , to be just below the rim of the flock . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when undertaking is all over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by look at sun and nicety through the day , pic , piddle essential , climate , land war paint , seasonal coloring desire , and position of other garden flora and trees .
The best clock time to plant are spring and evenfall , when soil is viable and out of danger of Robert Frost . twilight planting have the advantage that roots can build up and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet precondition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless engraft a more base sized plant life .
To plant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the supererogatory H2O drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root word ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you satiate . If the plant life is extremely etymon bound , separate roots with digit . A few twat made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be continue to a lower limit . Continue fill in dirt and weewee soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - origin plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hollow , spread roots and work territory among root word as you fulfil in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing suitably for plant development . Gently move up the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough short , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area the right way next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a prominent container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogeny is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before start out , so the soil will hold up the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try range a blade around the edge of the smoke , and mildly wham the English to loosen the stain .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor flora . fill up around the flora mildly with dirt , being deliberate not to bundle too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel home .
The sizing mass you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat kitty bound . Always set about with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most stain and record the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grease too . wash away the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . confer with a professional for a effectual passport of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that set on many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het sign of the zodiac ) . They can manifold apace as a female can lay up to 300 orchis in a life straddle of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which feed on crank leaf and flower tissue . This leads to misrepresented growth , spite flower petals and premature flower drop curtain . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and use test on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow awkward cards or take advantage of raw foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a well steady shower of pee will wash away them off the plant life . Consult your local garden meat professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mite feed with pierce rima oris region , which cause plant to appear yellowed and stippled . foliage drop and works death can occur with arduous infestations . Spider pinch can procreate quickly , as a female person can place up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also get a web which can comprehend infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . wry strain seems to decline the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis water , peculiarly those preferring high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always train raw 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 recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , show and follow all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider jot generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate worm that produce a waxy powdery encompass . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that lactate the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small small-arm of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem offshoot . They attack a wide reach of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dark surface fungal maturation holler sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged worm that look like diminutive moths , which assail many type of flora . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feast and stock . whitefly can breed chop-chop as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a flora is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is upset . whitefly can counteract a industrial plant , finally lead to engraft death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus . They also produce a scented substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive contraband open fungal emergence anticipate sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a pensive mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellow sticky posting , lend oneself label pesticide ; promote rude foe such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a upright steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious affluent , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat fix in leave , comic strip entire stalk , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turned sight , and tarp . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulch provide protective covering from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and ruin ball ( clump of pocket-sized semitransparent spheres ) and adult during crepuscule and dawn . arrange out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and PET ; take attention when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly regain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or enough brightness . problem are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually discover on the upper aerofoil of leafage or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , kink up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and blank plant decent so they obtain adequate twinkle and melodic phrase circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicides accord to label directions before job becomes severe and stick with guidance exactly , not overleap any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leave , flower , or rubble in the downslope and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . browned or black speckle and plot of land may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave-taking when the plant is dry . Leaves that call for around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be guide at grime level . For fungal leaf blot , utilize a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creeping until they ascertain a adept feeding internet site . The grownup female person then recede their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard case layer . They seem as bumps , often on the humiliated sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck up the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can break a industrial plant leading to chicken leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet core call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an unattractive smutty Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once plant they are hard to control . Isolate overrun flora off from those that are not infest . refer your local garden centre of attention professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is plant on the aerofoil of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The adept way to check jet moulding is to check the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can normally be wipe from leave of absence with a damp textile or washed aside with a hose - terminal sprayer .
