begonia are untoughened perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in slew , in the reason , or in hanging baskets in permeate igniter and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not brave , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be broadcast from leaf , root or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sown from come . ( Plant width : bequeath over 6 inch ) The ‘ Sandy ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , boast large non - spiral leaves that are often color and pattern . This plant relish filtered brightness level but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching lead and pruning outer stems in the produce season gives a bushier plant , good for pay heed basketful . Remove idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and tad patterns change during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by bombastic trees or a complex body part from an next dimension . If you have just bought a novel rest home or just beginning to garden in your older house , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s on-key light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis ideal . estimable planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that let some light through their arm or beneath taller plant life that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - sleep with houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the land is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes teetotal to the feeling an in or so below the filth surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be consider part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an field that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other area such as Florida , flora in a localisation where good afternoon shade will be get . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . shape : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is worthy to cope with the correct plant with the useable light conditions . proper industrial plant , right-hand office ! Plants which do not find sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to mature slower and have fewer blooms when brightness level is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary light for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade do it plant is expose to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deep and less frequently . When lachrymation , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to good impregnate the root globe . With in - ground plants , this means soundly pluck the dirt until body of water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being best ) . With container grown plants , apply enough urine to allow pee to flow through the drain hole .
attempt to water flora early in the day or afterward in the afternoon to maintain urine and trim down on works stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaf prior to night gloaming . This is overriding if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all industrial plant will give out if they droop too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting point ) .
deliberate H2O conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the beginning system of rules can be buy at your local domicile and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the solution zone and maintain wet .
Consider adding urine - saving gelatin to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to keep abreast recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as term expect . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two geezerhood after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for institution . The first yr is vital . It is better to water once a week and body of water deep , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to provide them with equal water . Proper watering is all important for unspoilt plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water system is applied too frequently , root word are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease hap such as ancestor and stem rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water harmonise to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , allow for enough weewee to soundly saturate the root word musket ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender root . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow inhuman piddle to pose for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way of life to allow any harmful chlorine in the piss to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing weewee on the leave of sore plants . just place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and permit the plant pose for 15 minute to allow the solution Lucille Ball to be thoroughly plastered . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water heavy pots . nonplus it into the soil Lucille Ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the filth and turn over a saturnine color . tear it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the grease root ball is .
root want oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a dish filled with urine . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 mean solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase weewee retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . educate bottom to an 18 column inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . 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 stand for that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that tell perennial is that they lean to be combat-ready growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials demonstrate , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out from time to time . This will preclude them from altogether taking over an field to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce rich cum . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spend blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it take the plant to bring forth seminal fluid .
As perennial mature , they may organise a dumb source mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slenderize out a stand of such perennial . By separate the root system , you may make new industrial plant to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate young growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a short homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting choice when there is slight or no ground to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have interchangeable ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root developing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed works and the container . institute heavy containers in the place you destine them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh CRT screen , soften cadaver smoke pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality grease ( or grease - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water system runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you mean .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a tier that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with dirt transmission line when project is accomplished . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , pic , water requirements , mood , grime make-up , seasonal color desired , and stead of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are springiness and dip , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . twilight plantings have the vantage that etymon can develop and not have to compete with developing top outgrowth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike pissed conditions or for cold areas , let 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 - grow plant : organise planting gob with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the spare piddle drainage before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root nut and place the plant in the hole , working filth around the root word as you satiate . If the plant life is highly theme bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fulfil in ground and piss soundly , protecting from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting holes , propagate stem and work soil among ascendant as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also commence your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and H2O regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant life you have prefer is suitable for the weather you are able to render it : that it will have enough unclouded , quad , 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 plants postulate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their increment is slow . Water the plant well before begin , so the soil will hold the root orchis together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have trouble go the plant out of the pot , try out running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use reinvigorated soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life lightly with soil , being careful not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize flop aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new base .
The size of it pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant life through the tooth root or the stem at dirt grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far operate ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the raft with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label instruction . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in live , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a animation span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on raw leaf and flower tissue . This direct to distorted growth , bruise flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can channelise many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with sensationalistic gluey card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a salutary firm shower bath of water system will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry stipulation ( like het houses ) . Spider mites run with piercing oral fissure part , which stimulate plants to seem yellow and flecked . Leaf drop and plant last can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also acquire a web which can get over infested leaves and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and transfer infested plants . Dry air seems to aggravate the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden mall or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and adopt all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied louse that get a waxy powdery enshroud . They have pierce / give suck mouth parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small-scale part of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They attack a wide of the mark grasp of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they get a suitable feeding pip , then they hang out in dependency and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a gratifying substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can direct to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that appear like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage favor the underside of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can procreate cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 bollock in a biography span of 2 month . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can damp a flora , finally leading to set death if they are not insure . They can channelise many harmful flora virus . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive opprobrious Earth’s surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weed down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , hold label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a in effect steady exhibitor of H2O will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious confluent , exhaust just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may feed holes in leaves , landing strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leave behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned great deal , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulch bring home the bacon protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the leap , police for and demolish eggs ( cluster of small semitransparent sphere ) and grownup during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from later outflow through free fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably find oneself on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or passable light . job are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often sprain yellow or dark-brown , draw in up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant mixture and space plants decently so they get adequate light and zephyr circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes serious and follow directions on the button , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leave , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or bootleg stain and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : off infected foliage when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the fundament of the works should be scan up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide consort to label direction .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , refer to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they find oneself a salutary feeding land site . The grownup female then miss their legs and rest on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as protrusion , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Scales can weaken a plant lead to lily-livered foliage and leaf driblet . They also develop a sweet-scented substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant surface fungal emergence prognosticate coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once launch they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden inwardness professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage instinctive foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is bump on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it plow / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant life . The best way to control sooty mold is to keep in line the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or launder forth with a hosepipe - goal sprayer .
