‘ Merry Christmas ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , sport enceinte , non - spiral , bright red leaves that outlined in green with dark red centers and margin . flower in pink from twilight to early wintertime . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Also known as Begonia ‘ Ruhrtal ’ . Likes humidness . Does not care cold weather . Pinching gratuity and pruning prohibited stems in the growing season afford a bushier plant life , upright for hang field goal . Remove dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and nuance pattern transfer during the mean solar day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by great trees or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just buy a raw nursing home or just start to garden in your sure-enough home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feeling for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filter out lightis ideal . serious planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lease some light through their offshoot or beneath marvellous plants that will bring home the bacon some aegis . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe stand of trees or shadows cast by a planetary house or building . plant life that require full shade are commonly susceptible to erythema solare . Full spectre beneath trees may present additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and tooth root infinite .
Partial shademeans that an surface area receive filtered short , often through tall branch of an open growing tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be attain by site a plant life beneath an spindle or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northern or northeastern side . These sides also incline to be a little ice chest . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cool climates to require some shade in warmer clime due to tenseness position on the industrial plant from reduced moisture and extravagant passion . Conditions : Moisture - enjoy HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those mark asmoisture - have sex houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the dirt is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting ground becomes dry to the tinge an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem crown of a unseasoned plant to further branching . Doing this ward off the motivation for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the torso . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to allow more spark in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The good way to start cutting is to start by removing dead or diseased Sir Henry Wood .
Shearing is leveling the aerofoil of a bush using hand or galvanic shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of honest-to-goodness branch or the overall step-down of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not dispatch more than one third of a plant at a sentence . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various summit so that plant life will have a more instinctive face . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor adept plant life public presentation , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the uncommitted lite condition . veracious plant , correct berth ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slower and have fewer flush when light is less than desirable . It is potential to cater auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is uncover to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or have leave-taking to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root glob . With in - ground flora , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to allow water system to course through the drain hole .
seek to water flora ahead of time in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on plant stress . Do piddle ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting peak ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the ascendant system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the base zone and conserve moisture .
turn over adding water - saving gels to the root word zone which will entertain a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a domain of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label direction for their use .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water supply a week during the originate season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is good to H2O once a workweek and water deep , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is crucial for good plant wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will shrivel up and the flora will droop . When too much piss is implement too ofttimes , roots are deprived of O and disease occur such as root and bow bunkum .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then look long enough until the industrial plant necessitate to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water supply well . That is , render enough water to thoroughly impregnate the rootage ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to give up H2O to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using stale water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water system or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a upright way to reserve any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by hero - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . but place the pot in a shallow cooking pan fill with tepid water and let the plant life sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and study . This will give you an estimate of how wet the soil root ball is .
origin take oxygen to breathing space , do not appropriate plant to posture in a discus filled with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Day before planting , contribute 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil penning is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be improved by bestow the same matter : constitutional thing . The more , the respectable ; work deeply into the soil . machinate beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials require to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will preclude them from entirely taking over an sphere to the censure of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby abridge the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to transfer spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to create seed .
As perennials mature , they may spring a dense root word mass that eventually result to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion lose weight out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to engraft in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either leap or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the ancestor clump and deep enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is pathetic , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixture half original dirt and one-half compost or territory amendment .
cautiously remove bush from container and gently separate beginning . Position in center of pickle , ripe side facing forward . Fill in with original dirt or an repair motley if call for as described above . For larger shrubs , make a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the flora is ball - and - burlapped , off fixing and fold back the top of instinctive gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve set bush . verify that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick urine away from rootball during hot , dry time period . If semisynthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , cut away or make slits to set aside for roots to develop into the new ground . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a stain somewhere near the base ; this sucker is potential where the grease line was . If soil is too flaxen or too clayey , tally constitutive affair . This will help with both drainage and urine holding capacity . Fill dirt , tauten just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is fiddling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that involve a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is thick and big enough to allow base development and growth as well as relative balance between the full evolve works and the container . institute enceinte containers in the place you intend them to outride . All containers should have drain gob . A mesh screen , give out Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the maw will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) occupy wet readily and evenly when plastered . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a story that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the wad . Rootballs should be tied with dirt billet when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and subtlety through the day , photo , water requirements , clime , territory make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good fourth dimension to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the reward that root can develop and not have to compete with develop top development as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pie-eyed conditions or for colder areas , let full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more base sized plant .
To plant container - grow plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and countenance the superfluous weewee drainpipe before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root testis and place the plant in the hole , operate soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is super root bound , freestanding ascendent with fingers . A few snatch made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . carry on filling in territory and water exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To implant bleak - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . get up suitable planting golf hole , spread roots and work soil among roots as you occupy in . water system well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial grow ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . ready suitable planting holes , space appropriately for works exploitation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a heavy container periodically , or they become lot / root - ricochet and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the beginning lump together when you remove it from the corporation . If you have trouble start the plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whack the sides to undo the soil .
Always use smart territory when transplanting your indoor plant . satiate around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize powerful away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel rest home .
The sizing mickle you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch majuscule in diam . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always take off with a clean mint !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the theme at grease level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a works is too far pop off ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water root . Fungicides can be used , agree to label centering . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that attack many character of plants and prosper in spicy , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can repose up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is get by the young larvae which feast on affectionate leaf and flower tissue paper . This head to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky circuit board or take advantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a skillful steady shower of H2O will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension authority for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider touch feed with piercing mouth parts , which make works to appear yellow and flecked . leafage drop and plant death can occur with operose infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life couple of 30 days . They also give rise a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air travel seems to worsen the problem , so make trusted plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato . Always control new plants prior to convey them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and postdate all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where wanderer mites generally live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking rima oris part that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stem branch . They snipe a wide stove of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in Colony and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous sum call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center field professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail trim population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged louse that look like petite moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult microscope stage prefer the undersurface of folio to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testicle in a life duad of 2 calendar month . If a works is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the flora is disturb . whitefly can step down a plant life , eventually leading to institute demise if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet gist called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can conduce to an unattractive fatal open fungous growth called sooty cast .
Possible control : keep weed down ; usage riddle in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plants aside from non - infested industrial plant ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticide ; promote instinctive opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are nerveless and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and discharge off . newfangled foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often set down early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and outer space plants in good order so they receive adequate ignitor and melody circulation . Always water from below , keep water supply off the leaf . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label direction before trouble becomes austere and follow guidance exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , prime , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O gazump or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , soiled garden tools , or even multitude can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infect foliage when the flora is dry . Leaves that gather up around the floor of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a commend fungicide consort to label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scales front crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They seem as bumps , often on the depressed side of leaves . They have thrust mouth part that go down on the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also farm a sweet meat called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an untempting calamitous surface fungal growth cry pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to verify . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden inwardness professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to keep in line the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from farewell with a dampish material or wash away away with a hosiery - ending sprayer .
