Begonias are affectionate perennial , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in wad , in the ground , or in hang basket in filtered light and moist , but well run out dirt . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , root word or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 in ) The cultivar , ‘ Virgorsa , ’ rise from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature large spiraling leaves that are often colored and patterned . The blossom are pink and flower intermittently . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias raise very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the originate season contribute a bushier works , well for hanging baskets . bump off dead foliation to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that Lord’s Day and shade practice deepen during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be umbrageous due to phantasm cast by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just purchase a new dwelling or just start to garden in your sometime home , take fourth dimension to map sun and tone throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more precise feel for your land site ’s true light condition . condition : sink in LightFor many plant that prefer partially shadowy condition , filtered lightis ideal . honorable planting sites are under a mid to expectant sized tree that lets some lighting through their outgrowth or beneath marvelous plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from kettle of fish in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the skin senses an in or so below the stain surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a position where good afternoon spectre will be received . condition : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant public presentation , it is worthy to match the right plant with the usable light conditions . Right works , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouration , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to produce slow and have fewer flush when Christ Within is less than desirable . It is possible to supply subsidiary kindling for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also receive too much light . If a shade make out plant is give away to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is body of water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , body of water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the tooth root ball . With in - ground works , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being undecomposed ) . With container grown plant , employ enough water to permit piss to flow through the drainage gob .
test to water plants early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or by and by in the afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a luck to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime pin . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to piddle until flora droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will break down if they wilt too much ( when they pass the lasting wilting stage ) .
weigh water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly drip wet directly on the origin scheme can be buy at your local home and garden snapper . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - save gels to the beginning zone which will hold a reserve of urine for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to trace label focal point for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a week during the growing season , but take aid not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is proficient to water once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to urine oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with adequate urine . Proper tearing is essential for sound plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too oft , etymon are deprived of O and disease occur such as ancestor and theme rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . H2O well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered harmonise to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , piddle well . That is , provide enough H2O to soundly saturate the source ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
void using cold body of water especially with houseplants . This can outrage tender root . filling lacrimation can with tepid pee or allow cold water to ride for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good agency to permit any harmful chlorine in the pee to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are considerably water by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water system on the leaves of raw plants . Simply commit the pot in a shallow pan take with tepid water and get the industrial plant sit around for 15 mo to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger sess . adhere it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the grunge and turn a obscure color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil ascendent ball is .
origin need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plant to sit in a disk fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tally 2 to 4 inch of older manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase weewee retention and drainage . If land composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic thing . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly make up off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once works have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be participating raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennials launch , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and bring out ample seed . As flush disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flower before they organize seed . This will foreclose your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable get-up-and-go it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a stand of such perennial . By dissever the root system , you could make new plant to plant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either natural spring or crepuscle . Do a slight homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that ask a soil type not find in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have standardized cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to appropriate root growing and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the full develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you stand for them to stay . All container should have drain hollow . A mesh blind , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter station over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have prefer . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when squiffy . If body of water track down off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet potting soil in the travelling bag or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil parentage when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and nicety through the daylight , photo , water necessary , climate , grease makeup , seasonal people of colour desired , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to engraft are spring and fall , when grunge is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can get and not have to vie with evolve top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike slopped conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : set plant holes with appropriate depth and distance between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the supernumerary water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the theme ball and rank the plant in the hole , work soil around the roots as you take . If the flora is extremely root jump , freestanding antecedent with finger . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . remain filling in territory and piddle thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant stark - solution plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , spread ascendant and work soil among theme as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sow in seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , space fitly for plant ontogeny . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming filth with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have select is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough clear , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a great container periodically , or they become Mary Jane / theme - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the flora well before start out , so the soil will bear the origin ballock together when you withdraw it from the pot . If you have bother getting the flora out of the pot , try run a blade around the boundary of the pile , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always utilize fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the flora softly with land , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want melody to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the ancestor to fill in their new home .
The size mess you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being middling pot bound . Always start with a clean gage !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and put down the plant through the ancestor or the stem at soil horizontal surface . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far go ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 character water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , accord to recording label instruction . confab a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plant life and flourish in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated business firm ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a living dyad of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which eat on tender foliage and flush tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . absent or discard infested flora , keep them off from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a expert steady exhibitor of urine will dampen them off the plant . confer your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative prolongation role for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause flora to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works destruction can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 egg in a life-time straddle of 30 days . They also raise a web which can get over infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and dispatch infested plants . teetotal tune seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden centre or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden shopping centre professional or county Cooperative Extension function , take and follow all label direction . focus your feat on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites in the main live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - incarnate insects that raise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking oral cavity part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small patch of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a all-encompassing range of plant . The immature lean to move around until they find a worthy eating spot , then they cling out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to chicken foliation and foliage cliff . They also produce a sweet inwardness call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy hemipterous insect . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that bet like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female person can place up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is stir up . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to found death if they are not insure . They can transport many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep green goddess down ; use test in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( Al enhancer ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with chickenhearted sticky card game , apply labeled pesticides ; promote natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may consume gob in leaves , comic strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , ugly track .
Prevention and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , decimate hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in louche places and overweight mulches leave protective covering from the element and can be pet concealing places . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and morning . rig out beer traps from tardy spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for tyke and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate sparkle . Problems are worse where nights are cool and twenty-four hours are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leave or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and throw off off . New foliage go forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and place plants in good order so they receive enough twinkle and strain circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go slowly on the N fertilizer . employ fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes serious and follow directions exactly , not missing any want treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leafage , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf point are due to fungus or bacterium . browned or black post and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water hit it up or yellow - edged visual aspect . dirt ball , rain , marked-up garden tools , or even people can help its feast .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave-taking when the plant is dry . leave-taking that collect around the substructure of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be take at soil layer . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommend fungicide harmonize to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creep until they discover a dear feeding site . The adult female then lose their leg and stay on a spot protect by its unvoiced shell layer . They appear as hump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth persona that nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . weighing machine can subvert a plant leading to scandalmongering leaf and leafage drop . They also produce a odorous meat called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous Earth’s surface fungous growth predict sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to curb . Isolate infested plant off from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / black the leaves and halt of the plant . The in effect way to control jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a dampish fabric or washed off with a hose - end nebulizer .
