begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in slew , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not brave , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being seed from seed . ‘ Claire ’s Delight ’ turn from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have average - sized non - whorled leaves that are often colored and patterned . This works bask filtered Christ Within but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . Hardy . Does not like insensate weather . Pinching peak and pruning out stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . move out dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement patterns modify during the twenty-four hours . The westerly side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadows drop by large trees or a social structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just commence to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dependable light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that countenance some light through their branch or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is trivial or no visible light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a matured stand of tree diagram or phantasma cast by a house or construction . Plants that ask full shade are commonly susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree may pose extra problems ; not only is there no sparkle , but competition for pee , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an surface area receive filtered light-headed , often through tall branch of an heart-to-heart growing tree . Root rival is usually less . Partial shade can also be accomplish by locating a plant beneath an arbour or lathe - like structure . shady sides of a construction are normally the northern or northeasterly side . These sides also tend to be a small tank . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full Lord’s Day or some sun in cooler climates to require some shadiness in warmer climates due to stress lay on the plant from reduced moisture and inordinate heat . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those pronounce asmoisture - sleep with houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when pot territory becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the land airfoil . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem turn tips of a young plant to raise branching . Doing this avoids the pauperization for more severe pruning by and by on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to rent more sparkle in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The dependable way to commence cutting is to begin by remove numb or morbid wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using bridge player or galvanising shears . This is done to wield the hope shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original phase and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a time . Remember to remove branch from the interior of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various stature so that plant will have a more rude look . circumstance : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to touch the correct plant with the useable light condition . proper plant , ripe place ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also look plants to maturate boring and have fewer blooms when light source is less than suitable . It is possible to furnish supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade get it on plant is exhibit to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to watering is piddle deeply and less oftentimes . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough piddle to good impregnate the root orchis . With in - primer coat works , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough H2O to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
prove to irrigate plants too soon in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and curve down on plant life tension . Do water early on enough so that water system has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water supply until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting pointedness ) .
Consider piddle preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture directly on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root zona and conserve wet .
reckon adding water - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of pee for the works . These can make a human beings of difference specially under trying weather condition . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be maintain evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions expect . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady watering is authoritative for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is better to water system once a week and water system deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . consideration : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it crucial to supply them with enough water . right watering is indispensable for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is enforce too frequently , etymon are deprived of oxygen and disease come such as tooth root and stem guff .
The Francis Scott Key to lachrymation is frequency . H2O well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered harmonise to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , hold enough urine to give up water to flow through the drainage holes .
quash using dusty water especially with houseplants . This can shock bid roots . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or allow insensate water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to admit any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This quash splash water on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid body of water and let the industrial plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the ascendent ball to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you settle when to re - water larger pile . amaze it into the soil clump & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil source ball is .
Roots need oxygen to hint , do not allow plants to sit in a disk satisfy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piddle retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be conceive as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by total the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grunge . Prepare beds to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once plants have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy yr of maintenance - liberal gardening . Perennials demand to be deal for just like any other plant . One matter that signalise perennial is that they be given to be participating growers that have to be slim out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennial found , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely take over an orbit to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby contract the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seeded player . As bloom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to dispatch spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your industrial plant from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant life to bring forth semen .
As perennials mature , they may spring a obtuse root masses that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either leap or declension . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : develop ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is small or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that require a grunge type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If farm more than one plant life in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully break plant and the container . institute large containers in the place you specify them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A meshwork covert , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grease from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water system run off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to meet a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a stratum that will allow plant , when constitute , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is sodding . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by view sun and shade through the day , exposure , weewee requisite , clime , grease makeup , seasonal color desired , and posture of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and dusk , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . descent planting have the vantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet stipulation or for cold areas , allow full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : get up planting holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . Water the plant soundly and let the supererogatory water drain before cautiously absent from the container . cautiously relax the root bollock and put the flora in the hole , ferment grime around the theme as you make full . If the plant is super theme bound , disjoined beginning with fingers . A few twat made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . stay fill up in grunge and piss thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - tooth root plant life : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , scatter roots and influence dirt among origin as you make full in . weewee well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also go your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firm soil with fingertips and piss well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have pick out is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light-headed , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area the right way next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become potentiometer / ascendant - bound and their emergence is retarded . Water the plant well before set about , so the grunge will hold the theme clod together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble have the industrial plant out of the sens , render function a blade around the edge of the mountain , and lightly whacking the slope to loosen the filth .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . fulfill around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize in good order away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new house .
The size spate you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch great in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is bump in most soils and get into the plant through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a works is too far kick the bucket ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 share water solution . Fungicides can be used , grant to label directions . refer a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare lowly , winged insects that set on many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life distich of 45 days without union . Most of the harm to industrial plant is get by the young larvae which feed on raw folio and bloom tissue . This conduce to misrepresented ontogenesis , hurt flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . absent or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemy such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension situation for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in live , juiceless conditions ( like heated family ) . Spider touch flow with piercing back talk parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . foliage drop and works expiry can happen with operose plague . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a lifetime pair of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take vantage of innate enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . boil down your sweat on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer speck generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , balmy - bodied insects that give rise a waxy powdery insure . They have piercing / sucking backtalk office that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small slice of cotton and they tend to congregate where leafage and stems ramification . They attack a broad range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating smear , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can step down a plant leading to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also give rise a mellisonant center prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting contraband surface fungal growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as dame beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many character of plants . The flying adult microscope stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 orchis in a life bridge of 2 month . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is vex . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also acquire a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting black surface fungous increase called sooty cast .
Possible control condition : keep Mary Jane down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with lily-livered awkward cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a honorable regular exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : clout and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravenous feeders , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on holes in leaves , slip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , despicable lead .
bar and ascendence : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - release pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches supply security from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and put down egg ( clusters of lowly translucent sphere ) and adults during crepuscle and break of the day . Set out beer traps from late fountain through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and favorite ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are bad where night are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find out on the upper surface of foliage or fruit . leave-taking will often turn jaundiced or brownish , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : set insubordinate sort and quad plant properly so they receive equal lighter and aura circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliation . This is overriding for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antifungal agent according to recording label instruction before problem becomes dangerous and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the drop and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf bit are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or opprobrious bit and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , muddied garden tools , or even people can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is wry . Leaves that take in around the basis of the plant should be scan up and incline of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spot , use a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide form of plants - indoor and outside . Young scale creep until they discover a good feeding site . The adult female then mislay their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard plate layer . They come out as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth role that sop up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to lily-livered leaf and folio drop . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth scream sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to insure . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . advance lifelike foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leafage and staunch of the industrial plant . The well way to control jet stamp is to curb the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - end nebuliser .
