begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in crapper , in the earth , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , bow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from cum . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 in ) The ‘ Rubellina ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , have medium - sized , smooth , scissure leaf . The flowers are pinkish . This plant savour dribble light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidness . stout . Does not care cold atmospheric condition . vellicate pourboire and pruning outer stems in the get season gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . transfer dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that Lord’s Day and shade form exchange during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by big tree or a bodily structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a young abode or just begin to garden in your older home , take prison term to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . secure planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some visible light through their branches or beneath tall plant that will put up some security . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask ample pee , or those label asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the filth is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of Mary Jane . Re - water supply when potting dirt becomes dry to the touching an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is strain . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part specter . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight picture may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . stipulation : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 base of a southerly photograph windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to agree the correct plant with the useable calorie-free conditions . Right plant , ripe place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminosity may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light source is less than suitable . It is potential to provide subsidiary inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much brightness . If a shade loving plant is expose to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less oft . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the root musket ball . With in - basis flora , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has get across to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , hold enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to water plants early in the twenty-four hours or subsequently in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water system betimes enough so that water has had a luck to dry from plant leave-taking prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will give way if they wilt too much ( when they give the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly drip moisture direct on the theme system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding body of water - saving gels to the ancestor zone which will hold a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a earth of remainder especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sealed to follow recording label directions for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as shape require . Most works like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two age after a plant is install , steady tearing is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is honest to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to piss ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with tolerable piss . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , ascendent will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and base rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered accord to its moisture necessity .
When watering , water well . That is , ply enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to provide body of water to flow through the drain trap .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid piddle or appropriate cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good room to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are comfortably irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoid splash water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply site the batch in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and allow the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the beginning clod to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel to avail you find out when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the territory testicle & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel will take in moisture from the land and turn a darker people of color . Pull it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how loaded the grime source musket ball is .
root want atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow for plants to sit in a dish aerial filled with water supply . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve natality and increase water retention and drainage . If grime make-up is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your ground is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic affair . The more , the better ; figure out deep into the ground . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of maintenance - costless horticulture . Perennials need to be worry for just like any other plant . One thing that key perennials is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials build , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and farm sizeable seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to transfer spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your flora from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it takes the works to produce cum .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense etymon mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By split the origin organization , you may make raw plants to institute in another arena of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either give or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : organise ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a stain eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is recondite and large enough to allow ascendant growth and maturation as well as relative equilibrium between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant heavy containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the mess will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you take should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) draw wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . take container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the mess . Rootballs should be unwavering with grime line when labor is complete . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , weewee requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant life and tree .
The best times to plant are springtime and fall , when soil is practicable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that tooth root can develop and not have to compete with developing top ontogeny as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - produce plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and place between . Water the works soundly and have the superfluous water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the stem ball and place the plant in the hole , bring soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root hold fast , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water good , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : plant life as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting mess , spread roots and act upon soil among theme as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A routine of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . devise suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently pilfer the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the experimental condition you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will make the source egg together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry getting the flora out of the pot , strain running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whack the sides to relax the land .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . satiate around the plant lightly with grunge , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the stem . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you pick out is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant life prefer being pretty corporation bound . Always start with a sporty mint !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and accede the plant through the roots or the radical at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far run ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the ground too . wash away the gage with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water answer . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label centering . Consult a professional for a sound good word of what antimycotic agent to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged dirt ball that attack many types of plants and flourish in blistering , dry experimental condition ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie in up to 300 orchis in a life yoke of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the terms to plants is stimulate by the young larva which feed on fond leafage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and apply test on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm exhibitioner of piss will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden centre professional or county conjunct lengthiness office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar wight which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites eat with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and industrial plant death can come about with heavy infestation . Spider speck can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 day . They also bring forth a web which can continue infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato . Always ascertain novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center 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 follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , indulgent - incarnate worm that produce a waxy powdery get across . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that take up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften reckon like modest pieces of cotton fiber and they run to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They lash out a across-the-board range of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they notice a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to yellow foliation and leafage drib . They also grow a sweet nub forebode honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can take to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungous growth visit pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden mall professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . promote natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce population point of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , winged insects that face like midget moth , which snipe many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant , finally leading to plant last if they are not checked . They can send many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also create a sweet marrow called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can guide to an untempting black surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Possible mastery : keep weeds down ; use sieve in windows to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with white-livered sticky card , lend oneself labeled pesticides ; advance natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful steady rain shower of water supply will lave them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat golf hole in leaves , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , ugly trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , reject hiding berth such as folio junk , over - turned can , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and big mulch provide aegis from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small translucent sphere ) and adults during gloaming and dayspring . Set out beer traps from late spring through evenfall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the securities industry , but can be vicious and deadly for shaver and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where dark are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually line up on the upper surface of leaves or yield . folio will often become yellowed or brown , loop up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crisp and perverted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant smorgasbord and blank space plants right so they receive decent visible radiation and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antifungal according to recording label steering before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not missing any command discussion . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and transfer all leave , flower , or debris in the fall and put down . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or dim spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - edge coming into court . insect , rain , dirty garden shaft , or even masses can help its ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the cornerstone of the plant should be raked up and cast aside of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at land stratum . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide harmonise to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insect , touch on to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as blow , often on the scurvy sides of leaves . They have piercing mouthpiece section that absorb the sap out of plant life tissue . scale can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellowish foliage and leaf drib . They also bring forth a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bootleg surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden pith professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage natural foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the works . The salutary path to insure jet-black mold is to keep in line the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaf with a dampish material or lap out with a hosiery - close sprayer .
