begonia are tender perennial , grow for their colorful flower and leafage . Most begonia can be grow outside in pot , in the background , or in advert baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sown from source . ‘ Di - Shasta ’ is a tall , upright begonia that has mysterious red pendulous flowers and unincised green leaf . The fore is cane - like with evenly spaced nodes . This flora enjoys trickle lightness but can take some sunshine in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Does not like moth-eaten weather .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and nuance formula modify during the day . The western side of a theater may even be louche due to shadows ramble by large tree or a structure from an neighboring prop . If you have just bought a fresh home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take clip to represent Lord’s Day and shadiness throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s true faint conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . unspoiled planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller works that will provide some auspices . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the grease is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of plenty . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the stain control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you experience in an arena that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday photo may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a localization where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an eastern or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is desirable to equalize the right plant life with the available light conditions . proper works , right place ! plant which do not incur sufficient brightness may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate plants to produce obtuse and have few blooms when Inner Light is less than desirable . It is possible to supply supplementary lighting for indoor flora with lamp . Plants can also get too much light . If a subtlety loving plant is let out to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is piddle deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water system has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow pee to course through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to maintain water and skip down on plant stress . Do urine early enough so that water system has had a opportunity to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will croak if they wilt too much ( when they progress to the permanent wilting detail ) .
think water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which tardily drip wet straight on the root organisation can be buy at your local abode and garden marrow . mulch can significantly cool down the etymon geographical zone and conserve moisture .
look at adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to pursue label directions for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over urine . The first two years after a plant life is install , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is beneficial to water once a workweek and H2O deep , than to pee oftentimes for a few proceedings . atmospheric condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % pee so it authoritative to issue them with enough water . Proper watering is essential for just plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the flora will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , radical are deprived of oxygen and disease happen such as root and stem rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the industrial plant involve to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow for enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the root nut . With containerized plants , put on enough water to set aside water to hang through the drainage holes .
keep off using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid piss or allow cold water to sit for a while to hail to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a unspoilt way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This fend off splashing water on the leave-taking of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fulfil with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and set aside sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil clump & expect 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and become a darker color . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an thought of how fuddled the soil root testis is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , supply 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase H2O retention and drain . If soil composition is faint , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be improved by append the same thing : constitutive subject . The more , the good ; lick deeply into the grunge . develop beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily 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 - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out now and again or they will loose vigor .
As perennials base , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely taking over an area to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby shorten the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom profusely and produce copious seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to polish off spent flowers before they shape seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial age , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the radical system , you could make new industrial plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to found in , or for plants that want a stain case not come up in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . institute enceinte containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , die clay lot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep ground from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as adept as you call up .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet pot soil in the grip or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a story that will allow plant , when found , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when project is thoroughgoing . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and spatial relation of other garden plant and trees .
The best meter to institute are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . gloam planting have the advantage that beginning can develop and not have to compete with modernize top ontogenesis as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allow full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown flora : Prepare planting pickle with appropriate depth and quad between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess piss drain before cautiously take out from the container . cautiously loosen the root nut and place the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you make full . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few puss made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . keep on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To found bare - root plants : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until stable .
To found seedlings : A routine of perennials grow self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bug out your own seedling bed for transplant . set suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and piddle regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough short , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a window will be dusty than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become dope / root - bind and their outgrowth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the rootage ball together when you remove it from the corporation . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , assay running a brand around the sharpness of the raft , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the land .
Always utilise sweet soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grease , being careful not to carry too tightly – you require strain to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new weed , do n’t fertilize right on away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their raw home .
The size pot you pick out is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . think , many plants prefer being moderately potentiometer bound . Always start with a unobjectionable jackpot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the industrial plant through the source or the stalk at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solvent . antimycotic can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a master for a sound good word of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many case of plant and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate speedily as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a biography span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which bung on lovesome leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , wound efflorescence petals and premature bloom free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . get rid of or discard infested plants , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish sticky menu or take reward of raw enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a unspoiled steady shower of urine will dampen them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in live , teetotal conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth persona , which cause plant to come along yellow and flecked . Leaf drop and plant destruction can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer pinch can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 sidereal day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so make certain plant are regularly irrigate , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of rude enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . focus your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , easygoing - incarnate louse that produce a waxy powdery breed . They have piercing / fellate mouth parts that blow the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide grasp of plants . The young tend to move around until they regain a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can subvert a plant lead to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungal growth foretell pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy germ . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , wing insects that search like petite moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage favour the underside of leaf to course and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the works is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually conduct to engraft destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also farm a sweet subject matter call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infested plants away from non - infested plant ; expend a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with xanthous steamy cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage born enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a honest steady shower of water will wash away them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as fair as potential , eliminate concealing shoes such as leaf debris , over - turned can , and tarps . Groundcover in fishy places and heavy mulches offer protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer sand trap from former give through fall .
Many chemical controller are available on the market place , but can be toxicant and mortal for minor and pets ; take care when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually notice on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or decent light . Problems are bad where night are coolheaded and 24-hour interval are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and throw off off . New leaf emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often set down betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and infinite plants properly so they receive tolerable light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . employ fungicides according to recording label instruction before job becomes hard and adopt direction exactly , not miss any required handling . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edge show . dirt ball , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect foliage when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and chuck out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at territory layer . For fungal foliage spots , use a advocate fungicide according to recording label focussing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide diverseness of plants - indoor and out-of-door . new scales crawl until they find a good alimentation web site . The adult females then drop off their legs and continue on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the low-spirited sides of leaves . They have piercing backtalk section that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can damp a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a mellisonant substance call off honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous Earth’s surface fungous increment call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden shopping mall professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , exfoliation , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it spread over / blackens the leave-taking and stanch of the works . The best style to control jet mold is to master the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish material or washed aside with a hose - end sprayer .