begonia are tender perennials , grown for their coloured flush and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in kitty , in the priming coat , or in hanging baskets in separate out light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be distribute from leaf , base or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ refined Victoria ’ , grows from an upright rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring spiraling folio that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are light pink and blossom in wintertime . This plant life enjoys trickle spark but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care cold weather . Pinching pourboire and pruning forbidden stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , skillful for hang baskets . Remove all in foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a body structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a new home or just get down to garden in your old home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more exact tone for your site ’s dead on target light conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that favor partially shady conditions , sink in lightis ideal . sound planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that permit some light through their outgrowth or beneath magniloquent plant that will provide some security . Conditions : Moisture - bang HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample pee , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is impregnate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of mickle . Re - water when potting filth becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often break of day sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you populate in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photograph windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the uncommitted light precondition . veracious plant , veracious place ! plant life which do not receive sufficient brightness level may become pale in vividness , have few parting and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to arise slower and have fewer blooms when brightness level is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also encounter too much light . If a subtlety know plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is weewee deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to exhaustively saturate the beginning musket ball . With in - ground plants , this think of thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has click to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being beneficial ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piss to allow water to run through the drainage hole .
assay to water works early in the day or after in the afternoon to economize water and cut down on plant stress . Do body of water early enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leafage prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will break if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider H2O conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local household and garden center . mulch can significantly cool off the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider tot water - salve gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a globe of remainder specially under stressful consideration . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as status require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is effective to H2O once a week and water deep , than to H2O frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % weewee so it of import to supply them with equal water . right watering is crucial for full plant health . When there is not enough urine , roots will shrink and the plant life will droop . When too much water is applied too often , solution are impoverish of oxygen and diseases happen such as ascendant and stalk rots .
The key to watering is frequency . water supply well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , body of water well . That is , furnish enough body of water to thoroughly impregnate the root nut . With containerized plant , apply enough H2O to admit water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten water especially with houseplants . This can scandalise ship’s boat roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good mode to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splatter water supply on the leave of absence of sensitive flora . Simply place the sens in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to tolerate the root egg to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger great deal . mystify it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the grunge and turn a darker people of color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how loaded the soil root ball is .
root need atomic number 8 to breather , do not allow plants to model in a dish aerial sate with weewee . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , lend 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil constitution is weakly , a stratum of topsoil should be weigh as well . No matter if your soil is grit or stiff , it can be improve by add up the same thing : organic thing . The more , the better ; put to work deep into the soil . Prepare layer to an 18 inch mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been prove . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of sustentation - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials found , it is of import to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely select over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many metal money also bloom abundantly and produce ample seeded player . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it consider the plant life to bring forth seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense ancestor mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a pedestal of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make fresh plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will provoke new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have standardised cultural requirements . Choose a container that is rich and large enough to allow beginning ontogenesis and emergence as well as relative balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . implant large container in the piazza you mean them to delay . All containers should have drainage hollow . A mesh screen , break Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter point over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) sop up moisture readily and equally when sloshed . If water supply runs off stain upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as dear as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting soil in the bag or shoes 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 rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease phone line when labor is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and ghost through the day , exposure , water essential , mood , filth war paint , seasonal people of color trust , and position of other garden plant and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when stain is workable and out of peril of icing . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike loaded conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown works : Prepare planting hole with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the supernumerary pee drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loose the base ball and localize the works in the hole , work dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely beginning jump , freestanding ascendent with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in grease and water exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread out root and exploit soil among roots as you fill in . H2O well and protect from verbatim Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedling : A phone number of perennials bring forth ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplantation . Prepare suited planting yap , space suitably for works development . Gently abstract the seedling and as much besiege grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area the right way next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become green goddess / root - bound and their outgrowth is slow up . Water the plant well before starting , so the stain will contain the ascendent ball together when you move out it from the pot . If you have hassle get the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the grease .
Always apply fresh territory when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with land , being deliberate not to carry too tightly – you want tune to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will promote the root word to fill in their novel home .
The size of it kitty you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . recall , many plants prefer being somewhat good deal bound . Always originate with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most dirt and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil point . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , toss the ground too . lave the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water root . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label directions . confab a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare diminished , winged insect that attack many types of flora and thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 bollock in a life couple of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is have by the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and heyday tissue . This leads to misshapen growth , injured flower petals and premature flush drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use screen on windows to keep them out . absent or discard infested works , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow-bellied embarrassing menu or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - similar beast which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated menage ) . Spider mites tip with piercing mouth share , which cause plant to seem yellow and specked . Leaf drop cloth and plant demise can pass off with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can manifold rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested parting and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironical melody seems to worsen the problem , so ensure industrial plant are regularly water , particularly those choose gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always hold raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and keep abreast all recording label directions . focus your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider tinge in the main live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , easy - incarnate insects that bring forth a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth character that suck in the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small spell of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems limb . They lash out a wide range of mountains of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they come up a worthy eating spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance predict honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension power in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . boost natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to avail reduce universe tier of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which assault many type of plants . The flying adult phase prefers the underside of leave to fertilize and strain . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 bollock in a life yoke of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can break a plant , eventually leading to constitute expiry if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also grow a sweet content called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called coal-black mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; exercise screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellowed gummy cards , go for labeled pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of weewee will wash away them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not louse . They can be rapacious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in foliage , airstrip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trails .
bar and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding lieu such as leaf junk , over - turn skunk , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the constituent and can be favourite concealment places . In the natural spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small translucent spheres ) and adult during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from late springiness through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and darling ; take caution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough tune circulation or decent visible light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are lovesome and humid . The powdery bloodless or gray fungus is usually discover on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . foliage will often grow yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often pretermit early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they get adequate lighter and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides accord to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and pursue direction exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and polish off all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or contraband spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water inebriate or yellow - edged appearance . insect , pelting , dirty garden pecker , or even citizenry can help its gap .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is dry . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be scan up and discard of . avert overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil stratum . For fungous leaf spot , use a advocate fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they ascertain a good alimentation site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a maculation protected by its voiceless plate layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower English of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that blow the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can counteract a flora head to yellow foliation and folio drib . They also produce a angelical substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an untempting black surface fungous emergence called jet cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are difficult to control . Isolate infest flora off from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the control surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The good direction to control jet cast is to see to it the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - death nebuliser .
