begonia are tippy perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grow alfresco in pots , in the background , or in hanging basket in filter brightness and moist , but well drain soil . Where not dauntless , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , base or rootstock cut in addition to being sow from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Superba - Mentone , ’ has white to pink pendulous heyday and lobed , crinkled , ovate leaves that are silver fleck . The stem is cane - like with equally spaced nodes . This plant enjoy percolate light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold conditions .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and tad patterns change during the day . The western side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a bodily structure from an next place . If you have just bought a new home or just get down to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your internet site ’s true weak atmospheric condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly umbrageous condition , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that countenance some light through their branch or beneath improbable plants that will render some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample pee , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of bay window . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the grime control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live 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 , plant life in a location where afternoon shade will be encounter . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light stipulation . correct plant life , correct place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plant to grow slower and have fewer bloom of youth when visible radiation is less than desirable . It is possible to allow for supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exhibit to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is weewee deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water system well , i.e. provide enough piddle to soundly saturate the root glob . With in - ground flora , this means good inebriate the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , hold enough water to countenance water to menstruate through the drain holes .
endeavor to water works ahead of time in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and trim back down on plant tenseness . Do H2O early enough so that water has had a luck to dry from industrial plant folio prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will drop dead if they wilt too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting period ) .
Consider urine conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento drop moisture now on the theme system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider sum up water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will confine a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to espouse recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take fear not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , unconstipated lachrymation is authoritative for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to water supply once a calendar week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minute . stipulation : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with enough water . Proper watering is all-important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as stem and root word rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , piddle well . That is , ply enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , enforce enough water to permit water supply to hang through the drain maw .
quash using cold pee specially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid body of water or appropriate cold water system to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are well water by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 moment to leave the ascendent ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you find out when to re - water large locoweed . Stick it into the soil glob & hold back 5 minute of arc . The joggle will plunge moisture from the land and turn a darker color . root for it out and prove . This will give you an idea of how pissed the grime solution ball is .
Roots take oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow for plants to sit in a dish filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting land site to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If land composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be moot as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the well ; function late into the soil . set beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora 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 gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be active grower that have to be lose weight out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial lay down , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole take over an arena to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby cut the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and raise copious seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to off spent flowers before they form cum . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may work a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion dilute out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root system , you’re able to make new plants to set in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or declension . Do a niggling preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for flora that require a filth eccentric not receive in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have like ethnical requirements . prefer a container that is bass and large enough to let root growing and growth as well as relative balance between the to the full developed flora and the container . embed large container in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain pickle . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter identify over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the industrial plant you have pick out . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) assimilate moisture promptly and equally when wet . If body of water runs off grease upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as practiced as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bag or berth in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfil container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when embed , to be just below the rim of the spate . Rootballs should be level with soil line of merchandise when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and tad through the day , photo , water system necessity , climate , territory makeup , seasonal color desired , and spot of other garden plant life and trees .
The best times to implant are give and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet experimental condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grow plant life : Prepare planting holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root formal and place the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the rootage as you take . If the plant is highly root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . stay filling in filth and pee thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To institute bare - base plant : industrial plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and work soil among ascendent as you satiate in . body of water well and protect from direct sunlight until unchanging .
To embed seedling : A phone number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set about your own seedling bed for transplanting . train suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently rise the seedling and as much environ soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . think back that the area aright next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor works need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become deal / root - bound and their ontogeny is slow down . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the mint . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly wallop the sides to relax the soil .
Always expend overbold soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being thrifty not to mob too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new toilet , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the root to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being somewhat pot constipate . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the shank at soil stage . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a flora is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the great deal with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . confer a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of works and prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 days without mating . Most of the wrong to plants is triggered by the untried larvae which feed on sore leaf and flower tissue paper . This result to distorted growing , injure flower petals and untimely blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a honest steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension berth for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sassing parts , which make plants to come out chicken and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can come with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested foliage and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plant . juiceless air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plant are regularly irrigate , especially those favour in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to add them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension post , read and follow all label counsel . contract your efforts on the underside of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , ho-hum - livid , sonant - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem offshoot . They lash out a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant extend to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also raise a fresh heart call up honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black open fungal growth called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that count like petite moths , which lash out many type of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leave-taking to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed cursorily as a female person can lie up to 500 egg in a living span of 2 calendar month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can countermine a industrial plant , finally lead to plant destruction if they are not watch . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet nitty-gritty ring honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep green goddess down ; role screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; utilize a pensive mulch ( atomic number 13 enhancer ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; gob with jaundiced sticky cards , use labeled pesticide ; advance natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will lave them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaf , cartoon strip total stems , or whole devour seedlings and attendant organ transplant , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eradicate hiding places such as foliage rubble , over - turned sess , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed places and heavy mulches provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite concealing place . In the outpouring , police for and demolish eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . localize out beer traps from tardy leap through surrender .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be vicious and lethal for child and pets ; take caution when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on industrial plant that do not have enough aura circulation or equal ignitor . trouble are bad where night are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually line up on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early on .
Prevention and Control : set resistant form and space plant life by rights so they pick up enough light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , hold on water off the leafage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen plant food . put on fungicide according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and dispatch all leave-taking , flowers , or debris in the capitulation and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf office are have by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and plot of land may be either ragged or round , with a water hock or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden creature , or even multitude can help its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leave when the industrial plant is dry . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . debar overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be head at ground story . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide motley of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young descale crawl until they get a salutary feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its voiceless shell stratum . They seem as blow , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also develop a sweet substance scream honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can result to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal ontogenesis call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora out from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . promote natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of farewell . It course on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bug , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best direction to keep in line sooty mould is to moderate the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can usually be pass over from leaf with a damp textile or wash off aside with a hosepipe - last atomizer .
