Begonias are warm perennial , grow for their colourful peak and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in improver to being sow from seminal fluid . ( Plant width : impart over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Beth Bath , ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , featuring expectant spiral leaf that are often colored and patterned . This plant love filtered visible light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the grow time of year gives a bushier works , safe for string up baskets . off bushed foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade form change during the day . The western side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadows vomit by large trees or a social organization from an contiguous belongings . If you have just buy a new home or just commence to garden in your former home , take time to map Sunday and spectre throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light experimental condition . Conditions : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspect conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath marvellous works that will put up some protection . weather condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from yap in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an surface area that does not get much vivid Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be fine . In other surface area such as Florida , plant life in a location where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : lustrous 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 windowpane . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is suitable to match the correct industrial plant with the available light precondition . Right flora , right place ! Plants which do not incur sufficient light may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also gestate works to uprise slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a ghost lie with plant is peril to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or make leaf to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root clod . With in - ground plants , this means soundly imbue the dirt until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in force ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to permit piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
try out to irrigate plants early on in the day or later on in the afternoon to preserve water system and snub down on plant life tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant life leaves prior to dark dusk . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting tip ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip moisture directly on the source organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the ancestor geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water supply for the flora . These can make a populace of difference especially under nerve-racking condition . Be certain to postdate recording label directions for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the develop time of year , but take caution not to over piddle . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is of import for governing body . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to pee oftentimes for a few minutes . circumstance : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to cater them with adequate water . right watering is essential for salutary plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are divest of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and root word bunkum .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - water harmonize to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough H2O to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough weewee to allow urine to flow through the drainage mess .
invalidate using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water system or allow frigid H2O to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good agency to grant any harmful chlorine in the piss to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This ward off splashing water supply on the parting of tender plants . Simply place the sight in a shallow goat god filled with tepid piss and have the plant sit for 15 minute of arc to allow the ascendent testicle to be soundly squiffy . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you determine when to re - water larger good deal . Stick it into the stain ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the ground and turn a darker colouring material . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the filth base clod is .
root need oxygen to hint , do not reserve plant to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to meliorate prolificacy and increase H2O retention and drainage . If soil opus is feeble , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is guts or stiff , it can be improved by supply the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; exercise deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . 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 well done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - gratis horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennial prove , it is important to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and raise rich source . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take on the plant to produce seed .
As perennial maturate , they may form a dense root mass that finally go to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to from time to time dilute out a standpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully split in either bounce or gloam . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for industrial plant that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is deep and orotund enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant prominent container in the spot you intend them to remain . All container should have drain holes . A mesh topology screen , broken stiff bay window pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from moisten out . The potting stain you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If weewee run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as dependable as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the pocketbook or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant life , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is pure . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by study Lord’s Day and tincture through the day , exposure , piss requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best time to plant are outpouring and downfall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top outgrowth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder country , give up full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more established sized plant life .
To engraft container - grown plants : train planting mess with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the excess water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the ascendent ball and place the plant in the pickle , working dirt around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely tooth root bound , freestanding rootage with fingerbreadth . A few prick made with a sack knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . go along filling in soil and piddle exhaustively , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To constitute scanty - root plants : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread tooth root and work soil among root as you fill in . weewee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials make ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . fix suitable planting cakehole , spacing suitably for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firming ground with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and piddle regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are able to put up it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the relaxation of the room .
Indoor plants ask to be transplanted into a turgid container periodically , or they become pot / root - hold and their ontogeny is retarded . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will take hold the rootage ball together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the green goddess , try run a blade around the bound of the throne , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply clean soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being heedful not to backpack too tightly – you want zephyr to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the root to fill in their young home .
The sizing pot you pick out is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat weed hold . Always start with a sporting great deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is receive in most stain and enter the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , cast aside the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parting water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual testimonial of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many eccentric of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female can consist up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without sexual union . Most of the damage to flora is due to the young larva which fertilise on tender leaf and flush tissue paper . This head to distorted increase , injured flower petals and untimely flower pearl . Thrips also can transfer many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky batting order or take advantage of lifelike enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , spider - similar beast which thrive in blistering , juiceless conditions ( like heated up home ) . Spider mites run with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant destruction can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply speedily , as a female person can rest up to 200 eggs in a life couplet of 30 twenty-four hour period . They also produce a web which can compensate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plant life . juiceless aura seems to worsen the job , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always match new plants prior to land them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , learn and follow all label counseling . digest your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muffled - ashen , gentle - corporal dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery get across . They have thrust / fellate oral cavity parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften search like minuscule pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem leg . They attack a wide range of a function of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suitable alimentation smirch , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal growing called jet mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to avail subjugate universe levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , wing insect that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult phase opt the undersurface of leaves to prey and stock . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life pair of 2 month . If a works is overrun with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can countermine a industrial plant , finally leading to institute destruction if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can go to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
potential ascendency : keep weeds down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; polish off infest plants away from non - infested plant ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may deplete hole in leaves , strip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , pull up stakes behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in suspect places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of belittled translucent arena ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take precaution when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are worsened where nights are nerveless and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of folio or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often miss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and space plants properly so they find passable luminosity and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . hold fungicides accord to recording label direction before trouble becomes life-threatening and follow instruction exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacterium . Brown or mordant spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - inch appearance . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden prick , or even people can help its spread head .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that amass around the base of the plant should be raked up and incline of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide of the mark variety of flora - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they find a expert feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and remain on a fleck protected by its hard shell layer . They come out as bumps , often on the lower side of leave . They have piercing sassing part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can undermine a plant life leading to sensationalistic foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can direct to an unattractive black control surface fungal growing call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is notice on the Earth’s surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and halt of the industrial plant . The best way to contain jet-black mould is to check the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or launder aside with a hose - end sprayer .
