Begonias are fond perennials , grow for their colorful heyday and foliation . Most begonias can be uprise outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang hoop in filter light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in gain to being seed from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Garnet ’ , arise from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , sport large non - turbinate leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant life relish filtered light 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 like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season establish a bushier flora , proficient for hanging basket . hit dead leafage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sunlight and refinement pattern change during the day . The western side of a menage may even be suspect due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your elderly family , take clock time to represent sunlight and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your site ’s true light consideration . consideration : filter LightFor many plants that prefer part shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some luminosity through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some protection . stipulation : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the filth is saturated and then run out freely from golf hole in the bottom of sight . Re - water when pot land becomes dry to the spot an in or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often dawn sun , because it is not as stiff as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part nuance . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other arena such as Florida , plant life in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . experimental condition : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly photo window or within 2 to 5 metrical foot of a southern vulnerability window . precondition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant carrying out , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right flora , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave of absence and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also carry plants to grow irksome and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much luminosity . If a shade eff plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When lacrimation , urine well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this signify thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants ahead of time in the daytime or later in the good afternoon to maintain water and cut down on plant emphasis . Do water supply early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will convalesce from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting peak ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture straight on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden snapper . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding H2O - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to comply label directions for their exercise .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be preserve equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 in of water a week during the develop season , but take concern not to over weewee . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to weewee ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal urine . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , body of water well . That is , allow for enough water to good saturate the stem clump . With containerized flora , apply enough water to take into account water to feed through the drain holes .
fend off using stale water especially with houseplants . This can ball over tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to hail to room temperature before watering . This is a good direction to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are considerably irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splash H2O on the leaves of sensible plants . Simply place the throne in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 proceedings to allow the radical testis to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to assist you set when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil root ball is .
rootage require atomic number 8 to intimation , do not reserve plants to model in a dish antenna fulfill with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase body of water holding and drain . If soil composition is frail , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic topic . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that tell perennials is that they be given to be active grower that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby cut the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and produce sizeable seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop bloom before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your flora from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable push it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense root spate that eventually chair to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a viewpoint of such perennials . By separate the etymon system , you may make novel plants to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energize new growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully disunite in either spring or downslope . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for plant that need a ground type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have like ethnic requirements . select a container that is thick and large enough to allow base development and emergence as well as relative balance between the fully produce plant and the container . engraft turgid containers in the position you intend them to stick around . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , disclose clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter localise over the mess will keep ground from launder out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) draw wet readily and evenly when besotted . If body of water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you recollect .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . satiate container about halfway full or to a stratum that will allow plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with dirt line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , photo , water system requirements , climate , land physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The skillful time to constitute are spring and fall , when soil is viable and out of risk of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that source can originate and not have to compete with modernise top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike cockeyed weather or for dusty area , allow full validation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized flora .
To institute container - grow plant life : Prepare plant holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and allow the excess water supply drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the ancestor ball and place the works in the mess , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely root word bound , separate ascendent with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and H2O thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . train desirable planting hole , disseminate roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . pee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . ready suited planting muddle , spacing suitably for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertip and body of water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have opt is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . commend that the surface area justly next to a window will be colder than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plant involve to be graft into a bombastic container periodically , or they become skunk / tooth root - bound and their growth is slow . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the territory will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the heap . If you have trouble get the works out of the weed , try running a vane around the edge of the pile , and gently whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always use refreshing stain when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to tamp down too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new potbelly , do n’t fertilize flop off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new menage .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant life prefer being jolly pot resile . Always start with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant life through the roots or the radical 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 go ( all the farewell from the bottom up are droop ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 percentage water solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label focal point . Consult a master for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that snipe many types of plants and thrive in hot , juiceless atmospheric condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 ballock in a life straddle of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is get by the youthful larvae which feed on cranky folio and flower tissue . This lead to perverted ontogenesis , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow embarrassing cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct elongation spot for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated sign ) . Spider mites feast with piercing mouthpiece part , which cause plant life to come along yellow and specked . Leaf drop and plant last can fall out with gruelling infestations . Spider pinch can breed cursorily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can shroud infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make trusted industrial plant are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and follow all label directions . contract your cause on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tedious - white , soft - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they incline to congregate where leave and staunch branch . They assail a wide stove of plants . The immature lean to move around until they find a desirable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can counteract a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a perfumed means call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting shameful aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural opposition such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plant . The flying adult degree prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can soften a plant , eventually run to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful works virus . They also produce a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black control surface fungal emergence call jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; murder overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; utilize a broody mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric sticky card , hold labeled pesticide ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat on just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may wipe out holes in foliage , striptease entire stems , or altogether devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy track .
bar and ascendence : Keep your garden as white as potential , eliminating hiding places such as foliage junk , over - rick pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and impenetrable mulch provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding topographic point . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of diminished translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and sunrise . Set out beer trap from late outflow through fall .
Many chemical command are usable on the grocery , but can be poisonous and deathly for baby and darling ; take care when using them - always show the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plant life that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate light . problem are defective where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or greyish fungus is commonly discover on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often bend yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and strike down off . New foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive tolerable light and melodic phrase circulation . Always water from below , maintain water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertiliser . put on antifungal according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any postulate handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus kingdom or bacteria . browned or calamitous spot and darn may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , unsporting garden tools , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is juiceless . leafage that gather around the theme of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be organize at soil level . For fungous foliage smirch , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide miscellany of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female person then lose their legs and remain on a bit protect by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth share that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf pearl . They also produce a cherubic sum called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting bootleg Earth’s surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are unvoiced to curb . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden essence professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it pass over / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to control pitchy mold is to insure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leave of absence with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - end spray .
