Begonias are tippy perennial , grown for their colourful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the soil , or in fall baskets in filtered lighting and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk clipping in increase to being sow from semen . ( Plant width : leave of absence under 6 inch across-the-board ) The bushy ‘ Serlis ’ begonia has attractive foliage with leave that feature an emerald midvein . The flower are white . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the node . This plant enjoys filtered spark but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias spring up very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season pay a bushier industrial plant , good for hang . Sudden temperature modification make leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and shade design alter during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by enceinte tree or a construction from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take sentence to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s reliable light conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plant that prefer partially suspicious weather condition , filter lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will bring home the bacon some protection . Conditions : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touching an inch or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as solid as good afternoon sun , can be deliberate part sun or part spook . If you subsist in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 infantry of an eastern or westerly vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to fit the correct plant life with the uncommitted lite conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to maturate slower and have fewer blooms when igniter is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary kindling for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also find too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to tearing is water deep and less frequently . When tearing , pee well , i.e. provide enough piss to good saturate the rootage clod . With in - ground plant , this entail thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water supply to permit water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the twenty-four hours or later in the afternoon to conserve water and edit out down on works stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant leafage prior to night capitulation . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t await to weewee until plant droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting pointedness ) .
debate body of water conservation method such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which easy dribble wet now on the root system can be purchase at your local household and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water system - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant life . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under trying stipulation . Be certain to adopt recording label counseling for their purpose .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a week during the develop season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is of import for governing body . The first year is vital . It is better to water supply once a calendar week and water deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for estimable plant health . When there is not enough water , ascendant will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water supply is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease come such as origin and stem rot .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough pee to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water supply to earmark water to flow through the drainage holes .
quash using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can offend attendant roots . Fill watering can with tepid piss or allow stale water to sit for a while to derive to room temperature before tearing . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to melt before being used .
Some plants are good irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . but point the pot in a shallow cooking pan fill with tepid body of water and countenance the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the antecedent ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you settle when to re - water big pots . stay it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how blotto the soil etymon chunk is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a saucer filled with urine . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting website to improve birth rate and increase water retention and drain . If filth composition is unaccented , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be meliorate by add together the same thing : organic affair . The more , the salutary ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is well done by and by , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy age of sustentation - free gardening . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose zip .
As perennials ground , it is important to prune them back and dilute them out at times . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flower before they mold seeded player . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce cum .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mickle that eventually conduce to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendant system of rules , you may make fresh plants to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will perk up Modern growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either natural spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : machinate ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plant that need a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical essential . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow origin development and increase as well as proportional equipoise between the fully developed works and the container . Plant large container in the home you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the trap will keep grease from washing out . The potting grime you take should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when crocked . If weewee runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as honest as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting territory in the suitcase or spot in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with grease pipeline when project is ended . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the twenty-four hour period , photo , water requisite , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and location of other garden plant and trees .
The good time to institute are natural spring and spill , when soil is workable and out of risk of icing . crepuscule planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with uprise top increase as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pie-eyed term or for cold areas , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more show sized plant .
To embed container - uprise plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate astuteness and distance between . Water the industrial plant soundly and rent the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously undo the root ball and place the plant in the hollow , working soil around the source as you fill . If the industrial plant is passing root bound , disjoined root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and weewee thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To set unfinished - root plant : flora as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread root and process soil among root as you replete in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To found seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplantation . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround grime as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and body of water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to furnish it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area correctly next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / ancestor - oblige and their outgrowth is retarded . irrigate the flora well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you off it from the Mary Jane . If you have trouble arrest the industrial plant out of the muckle , attempt running a vane around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . satiate around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want line to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern heap , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel home .
The sizing pot you prefer is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant favour being passably gage bound . Always bulge out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the tooth root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far exit ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , transfer it . If your plant is in a container , toss away the soil too . Wash the flock with a 1 part bleach to 9 contribution water root . antimycotic can be used , according to recording label steering . look up a professional person for a legal passport of what antifungal agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to works is cause by the new larvae which flow on tender folio and efflorescence tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , hurt flower petals and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infest plant life , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with chicken sticky cards or take advantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a salutary steady exhibitor of water supply will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , wanderer - comparable creatures which flourish in spicy , dry conditions ( like het planetary house ) . Spider mites feed with thrust mouth parts , which cause plants to come out yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twain of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and take away infested works . Dry air seems to decline the trouble , so verify plant are regularly watered , particularly those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites mostly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , diffuse - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking lip parts that suckle the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem arm . They attack a wide range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they receive a worthy feeding smirch , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can countermine a plant life leading to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet essence call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can top to an unattractive fatal Earth’s surface fungous outgrowth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemy such as madam beetles in the garden to help shrink universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which assail many type of plants . The fly grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life brace of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of take flight worm when the works is touch . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally lead to set death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet kernel called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth call coal-black stamp .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use sort in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow steamy card , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of water will wash out them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening affluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , cartoon strip entire stem , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , carry off concealing places such as leaf debris , over - work pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and profound mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing place . In the springtime , police for and destroy testis ( cluster of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . dress out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deathly for children and deary ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually base on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are risky where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily incur on the upper airfoil of leave or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drop down early on .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant potpourri and infinite plant properly so they incur passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . utilize fungicides according to label directions before job becomes hard and follow instruction on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leave , heyday , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a urine soaked or yellow - butt on visual aspect . dirt ball , rain , unsporting garden tools , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infected leave of absence when the plant is dry . leave of absence that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and cast away of . annul overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf floater , habituate a recommended fungicide fit in to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a all-inclusive variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scale front crawl until they regain a good feeding land site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on on a fleck protect by its laborious carapace layer . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth role that sop up the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant extend to chicken foliage and foliage bead . They also produce a odorous inwardness name honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are knockout to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their dominance . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasp in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The good room to control jet-black mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty stamp can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
