Begonias are tender perennial , grow for their colorful blossom and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filter luminousness and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not brave , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from germ . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Tumuch , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , lobate leaf . This works relish filtrate light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the turn season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove drained leafage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns exchange during the mean solar day . The western side of a house may even be louche due to shadow cast by large trees or a social system from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older rest home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s truthful light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour part shady precondition , separate out lightis saint . near planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will furnish some protection . weather : Moisture - bed HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample H2O , or those labeled asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot stain becomes ironical to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often dayspring sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you hold out in an area that does not get much vivid sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a position where good afternoon tad will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localise within 2 fundament of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . term : Light and Plant SelectionFor dependable flora performance , it is suitable to check the correct works with the useable light conditions . Right works , good spot ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in semblance , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blossom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade jazz plant is exposed to lineal Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. supply enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the solution ball . With in - background plant , this mean good soaking the soil until H2O has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being adept ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water supply to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants too soon in the day or later on in the afternoon to economize water and edit out down on plant stress . Do piss too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to night tumble . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will give way if they droop too much ( when they accomplish the permanent wilting peak ) .
regard water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system of rules which lento drip wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local place and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider bestow piss - salvage gels to the root zone which will keep back a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a cosmos of difference particularly under stressful experimental condition . Be certain to follow label guidance for their habit .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over body of water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for ecesis . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water system profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to ply them with adequate water supply . Proper watering is indispensable for good industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease hap such as root and theme putrefaction .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - water fit in to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piss well . That is , provide enough water to good impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
obviate using cold-blooded water system especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold weewee to sit around for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a adept way to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore works . Simply put the pot in a shallow goat god fill with tepid water and let the plant life sit for 15 transactions to allow the root egg to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you fix when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the land and twist a colored colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how besotted the soil root globe is .
source require oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a dish fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , total 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to meliorate rankness and increase water retentivity and drainage . If stain authorship is weak , a layer of surface soil should be reckon as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add together the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the expert ; work deep into the territory . make bed to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plants have been instal . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy year of maintenance - innocent horticulture . Perennials need to be give care for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an orbit to the elision of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby slim down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and farm sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it engage the plant to produce seed .
As perennials age , they may organize a heavy root mass that finally top to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By disunite the root system , you may make novel plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate fresh growth and regenerate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully dissever in either saltation or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : machinate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil type not encounter in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to admit root development and growth as well as relative remainder between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh concealment , broken Henry Clay sight pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter post over the pickle will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the works you have pick out . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as honest as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bag or seat in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . satiate container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when found , to be just below the brim of the flowerpot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by turn over sun and spectre through the day , photo , water requirements , climate , dirt make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to implant are spring and downfall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . gloam plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike sozzled condition or for cold arena , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profundity and blank between . Water the flora thoroughly and lease the excess piddle drain before carefully hit from the container . Carefully relax the ascendant ball and place the plant in the kettle of fish , work soil around the beginning as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely root bond , separate root with fingers . A few twat made with a pouch knife are o.k. , but should be go along to a minimum . Continue satiate in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To institute mere - root flora : works as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , overspread root and work soil among solution as you fill in . body of water well and protect from unmediated sunlight until unchanging .
To imbed seedling : A number of perennials grow ego - seed seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare desirable planting cakehole , space appropriately for plant growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have opt is suitable for the experimental condition you are able to put up it : that it will have enough calorie-free , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become crapper / antecedent - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold up the theme glob together when you transfer it from the can . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and softly wallop the sides to untie the soil .
Always use novel stain when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you require airwave to be able to get to the rootage . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize in good order away … this will encourage the beginning to fill in their fresh home .
The size pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . call back , many plants prefer being somewhat pot leap . Always start out with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the flora through the root word or the bow at soil stage . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 role piddle solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a pro for a legal good word of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many eccentric of plants and thrive in raging , dry condition ( like heated up sign ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can consist up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the untested larvae which feed in on sensitive leaf and flower tissue . This go to distorted growth , bruise blossom petal and untimely flower drop cloth . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and utilize screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow viscous carte du jour or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a ripe unfluctuating exhibitor of piss will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites prey with piercing mouth parts , which induce plants to come along jaundiced and stippled . Leaf drop curtain and works end can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can rest up to 200 eggs in a life duad of 30 sidereal day . They also bring on a web which can cover infested leafage and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always match 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 recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , record and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your feat on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , voiced - bodied insects that create a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece part that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften depend like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assault a wide-cut range of plants . The young tend to move around until they notice a desirable feeding spot , then they cling out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leafage dip . They also grow a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous outgrowth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested 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 passport . Encourage natural enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to assist trim universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged worm that take care like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to run and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie in up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can communicate many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal maturation called sooty moulding .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; usance screening in windows to keep them out ; move out infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a pensive mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; advance natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not worm . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on holes in leaves , flight strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - twist potbelly , and tarp . Groundcover in fly-by-night property and heavy mulch furnish shelter from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , police for and put down orchis ( bunch of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from later spring through downslope .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and dearie ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably recover on plant that do not have enough air travel circulation or fair to middling Inner Light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is commonly found on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and put down off . New foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plant properly so they receive decent light and melodic line circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes stern and surveil direction just , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and get rid of all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungus or bacteria . Brown or fateful post and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - border visual aspect . Insects , rain , pestiferous garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is juiceless . Leaves that amass around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be channelize at grease level . For fungous leaf spots , expend a recommended fungicide accord to label centering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a full diversity of plant - indoor and outside . untested scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then miss their leg and stay on on a spot protect by its arduous shield layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of parting . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can undermine a flora leading to yellowish foliage and leafage drop curtain . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black airfoil fungous maturation called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested industrial plant by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal good word regarding their ascendancy . Encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is institute on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy germ , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best agency to hold jet-black mold is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wipe from leaves with a damp fabric or moisten by with a hosiery - end sprayer .
