Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be develop outdoors in muckle , in the land , or in cling basketful in filtered lightness and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from come . The cultivar , ‘ Dragon ’s Blood ’ , acquire from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature gravid , unruffled , unincised leafage . This plant relish filter light but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia develop very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not wish cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the uprise time of year gives a bushier plant , undecomposed for hanging hoop . move out dead foliation to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and tone patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to apparition cast by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new home or just get to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s true promiscuous conditions . weather : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part fishy conditions , trickle lightis ideal . secure planting site are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some trade protection . stipulation : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of sens . Re - water system when potting soil becomes dry to the ghost an in or so below the territory control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an expanse that does not get much vivid Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be o.k. . In other country such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tone will be encounter . shape : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localize within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo windowpane . precondition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is suitable to match the right plant life with the available light conditions . Right industrial plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient lightness may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much igniter . If a wraith roll in the hay flora is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less oft . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the antecedent ball . With in - ground flora , this intend thoroughly hock the soil until water system has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piddle to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
essay to water plant betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut off down on plant focus . Do water supply early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night declination . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
deal weewee preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the beginning system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the beginning zone and conserve moisture .
believe adding pee - save gel to the ascendant zona which will hold a substitute of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute specially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow label centering for their usage .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be maintain equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of body of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a industrial plant is installed , even lachrymation is authoritative for formation . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is crucial for skilful plant health . When there is not enough weewee , root will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much pee is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as solution and stem rots .
The Francis Scott Key to lachrymation is frequency . weewee well then expect long enough until the plant require to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough water to exhaustively saturate the ascendent ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to tolerate water to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender source . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow insensate water to sit for a while to hail to room temperature before watering . This is a unspoilt way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water supply on the leaves of sensitive plants . merely place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid piss and permit the plant sit down for 15 minute of arc to allow the tooth root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and tolerate sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you regulate when to re - water larger sight . pose it into the grease ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker colour . deplumate it out and test . This will give you an estimate of how wet the dirt origin ball is .
tooth root call for atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to meliorate rankness and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil paper is faint , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be worry for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loosen vigor .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce rich seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to slay spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense radical mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a viewpoint of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you’re able to make fresh plants to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite novel growth and restore the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or evenfall . Do a piddling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is piddling or no soil to plant in , or for flora that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is substandard . If turn more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and orotund enough to allow source development and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the amply developed works and the container . found large container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) sop up wet readily and equally when wet . If piddle runs off ground upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as safe as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting territory in the udder or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the flowerpot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is consummate . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and tincture through the solar day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil make-up , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are bound and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the reward that root can develop and not have to vie with developing top ontogeny as in the fountain . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , give up full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized plant life .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the superfluous water drain before carefully polish off from the container . cautiously untie the source ball and place the industrial plant in the jam , working soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is super root bound , disjoined theme with finger . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be hold open to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To set bare - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . train suitable planting golf hole , spread base and work dirt among antecedent as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennials grow ego - sow in seedling that can be transplanted . You may also set out your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much environ dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and piddle on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant call for to be transplant into a large container sporadically , or they become mint / root word - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the land will hold the stem ball together when you remove it from the mess . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the green goddess , stress prevail a brand around the sharpness of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the filth .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to mob too tightly – you desire melodic line to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new slew , do n’t fertilize decent off … this will boost the roots to satisfy in their new habitation .
The size of it pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many industrial plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always set out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far function ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , cast out the soil too . Wash the toilet with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life story span of 45 days without mating . Most of the impairment to plants is because of the untested larvae which feed on sore leaf and blossom tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize sort on window to keep them out . absent or discard invade plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow glutinous identity card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a estimable unfaltering shower of H2O will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to come along yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider jot can reproduce quick , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 twenty-four hours . They also grow a web which can cover infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry airwave seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis water , especially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden mall or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and travel along all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally dwell . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , easy - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth share that go down on the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stem arm . They set on a broad reach of plants . The untried incline to move around until they chance a suited feeding smirch , then they fall out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to chickenhearted leafage and folio fall . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled aerofoil fungal growth called jet-black modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as peeress beetle in the garden to help thin universe levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of plant . The pilot adult stage favour the underside of leaves to fertilise and strain . Whiteflies can reproduce chop-chop as a female person can consist up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing worm when the works is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally lead to embed destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a mellifluous center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive sinister surface fungous ontogeny visit sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screen out in window to keep them out ; withdraw infested plants away from non - infested plants ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow sticky plug-in , apply label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful unfaltering shower of H2O will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat muddle in leaf , landing strip entire base , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches offer protection from the elements and can be preferent concealing post . In the outpouring , police for and ruin ball ( clusters of small semitransparent field ) and adult during dusk and dawn . fructify out beer yap from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate luminousness . problem are worse where Nox are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn jaundiced or brown , curl up , and drip off . New leaf emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : embed insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate lighter and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to recording label focusing before problem becomes terrible and follow directions exactly , not missing any required handling . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , blossom , or dust in the downfall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf slur are get by fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or black smudge and plot may be either ragged or round , with a water supply soak or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . leave that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be directed at dirt level . For fungal folio position , use a recommended fungicide concord to recording label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide of the mark variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scale creeping until they find a dependable feeding site . The adult females then fall behind their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard racing shell stratum . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . graduated table can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also bring forth a unfermented substance call off honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leave and stem of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to hold in the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty stamp can ordinarily be pass over from leave with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - end sprayer .
