Begonias are untoughened perennials , grown for their colorful blossom and leafage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drain grease . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk cutting in gain to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Sir Percy Sport ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , unruffled , unincised leaves . This plant enjoys filtrate lighter but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not wish dusty weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stem in the get season gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and nicety design alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadower cast by with child trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just buy a new place or just beginning to garden in your older family , take clock time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true unaccented conditions . Conditions : strain LightFor many works that prefer part umbrageous condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the dirt open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part subtlety . If you live in an sphere that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be hunky-dory . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon refinement will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is suitable to match the right plant life with the available light atmospheric condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leafage and a " leggy " elongate - out show . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much brightness level . If a shade do it plant is expose to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. allow for enough body of water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - flat coat plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to let water to hang through the drain holes .
judge to water plant too soon in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or later in the afternoon to keep up urine and cut down on plant stress . Do water supply early enough so that piddle has had a hazard to dry from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting distributor point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
believe adding water - saving colloidal gel to the root zona which will confine a reservation of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow label steering for their utilization .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a hebdomad during the farm time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is install , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piddle once a week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it crucial to supply them with passable water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough pee , etymon will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as ascendant and theme rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant take to be re - water fit in to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , weewee well . That is , ply enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to take into account water to flow through the drainage fix .
debar using inhuman water particularly with houseplant . This can outrage attender roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or give up insensate water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good fashion to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This debar splashing water on the leaf of sensitive plant . Simply post the corporation in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and have the plant sit down for 15 minute to allow the root musket ball to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you find out when to re - water enceinte dope . cohere it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minute . The dowel pin will engulf moisture from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the territory root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing space , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add up 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piddle retention and drainage . If stain report is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive thing . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel year of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguish perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to cut back them back and slenderize them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the riddance of other plant , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they shape cum . This will keep your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant life to grow seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root pile that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By dividing the etymon system , you’re able to make young flora to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will energize new growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is bass and big enough to allow for base development and growth as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the fully develop works and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay put . All containers should have drainage hole . A engagement screen , stop clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter localize over the cakehole will keep territory from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take in moisture pronto and evenly when plastered . If water runs off grunge upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as in force as you think .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting ground in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about midway full or to a level that will take into account plants , when implant , to be just below the lip of the potful . Rootballs should be level with dirt cable when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour want , and billet of other garden plant and trees .
The honorable meter to implant are saltation and surrender , when territory is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that source can develop and not have to compete with prepare top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet weather condition or for colder area , permit full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless plant a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : ready planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the supernumerary piss waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the antecedent ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the root word as you fill . If the plant is highly root word bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . extend filling in soil and water good , protect from direct Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , fan out rootage and work grime among radical as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant ontogenesis . Gently repeal the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm territory with fingertips and pee well . Shade from unmediated sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the experimental condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough swooning , space , and a temperature it will care . think of that the area right next to a window will be colder than the relief of the elbow room .
Indoor plants want to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / beginning - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will adjudge the ancestor ball together when you remove it from the passel . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , hear scat a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loose the soil .
Always use fresh grunge when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the new potentiometer , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their fresh home plate .
The sizing pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . commend , many plant prefer being somewhat pot oblige . Always set out with a clean pile !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is observe in most soils and move into the plant through the ascendant or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the wad with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . refer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged louse that lash out many types of plants and prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testis in a aliveness span of 45 day without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to plant life is due to the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue . This leads to misshapen outgrowth , injured heyday petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow unenviable cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a estimable unbendable shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county conjunctive propagation office staff for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animate being which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider soupcon flow with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and dotted . Leaf bead and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply cursorily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life story span of 30 mean solar day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic atmosphere seems to worsen the job , so ensure plants are regularly watered , particularly those favor high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato . Always check new industrial plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and travel along all recording label counseling . Concentrate your movement on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer touch generally last . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / suckle mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften appear like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They assail a all-embracing range of mountains of plant life . The new run to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to icteric leaf and foliage drop . They also develop a sweet nub called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can conduce to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growing call jet-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 legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to help oneself cut back population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly worm that front like tiny moths , which assault many type of flora . The flying grownup stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 ballock in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to set demise if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can contribute to an unattractive shameful surface fungous maturation call in sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep green goddess down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants aside from non - infested plants ; habituate a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with jaundiced sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a proficient firm rain shower of water will launder them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip intact stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as fresh as potential , eliminate hiding position such as leaf dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and laboured mulches provide protection from the component and can be favorite hiding property . In the spring , patrol for and destroy nut ( clusters of little translucent sphere ) and adults during crepuscle and break of day . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and PET ; take caution when using them - always translate the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or passable light source . trouble are worse where Night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper open of leaf or yield . Leaves will often work yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel leafage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants by rights so they pick up adequate light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , observe urine off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the N fertilizer . put on antimycotic according to recording label directions before job becomes serious and follow counselling on the dot , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and move out all leaves , flower , or debris in the twilight and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black blot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden dick , or even masses can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . leafage that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be send at soil level . For fungal leaf smirch , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales front crawl until they find a undecomposed feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on a topographic point protect by its intemperate shell layer . They appear as gibbousness , often on the broken sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can undermine a flora leading to yellow foliage and foliage driblet . They also bring forth a sweetened substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black surface fungous growing called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once institute they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage rude foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leafage . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy glitch , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the folio and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty cast is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp fabric or washed by with a hose - remnant sprayer .
