begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colorful blossom and leaf . Most begonia can be maturate alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in dribble light and moist , but well drained grunge . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from germ . ‘ Clifton ’ grow from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , legato , unincised farewell . This plant enjoys strain brightness but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias spring up very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like frigid weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer staunch in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . murder deadened foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sunshine and tint radiation pattern alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a body structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new home base or just begin to garden in your older home , take clock time to represent sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feeling for your site ’s true lightsome conditions . term : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , sink in lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some sparkle through their arm or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some protective cover . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from yap in the bottom of tummy . Re - water when potting land becomes dry to the contact an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt luminousness that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is crucial to them . Often first light sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you exist in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday photo may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon spook will be received . consideration : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoiled flora carrying out , it is desirable to equal the right plant with the available clear precondition . Right industrial plant , right-hand shoes ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plant to rise slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is scupper to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , water supply well , i.e. provide enough urine to soundly impregnate the root ball . With in - land plants , this means thoroughly intoxicate the grunge until water supply has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plant life betimes in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve water and geld down on industrial plant tension . Do piss early enough so that piddle has had a chance to dry out from works foliage prior to nighttime fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting dot ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which tardily drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the solution zone and conserve wet .
Consider contribute water - save gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a humanity of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to abide by label counsel for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take tending not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to piss once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it of import to append them with fair to middling H2O . Proper watering is of the essence for unspoilt plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water system is apply too frequently , beginning are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The Francis Scott Key to tearing is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to permit urine to flow through the drain hole .
annul using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold piss to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good elbow room to allow any harmful Cl in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the foliage of raw plants . merely place the bay window in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and allow the plant sit for 15 minute of arc to allow the origin orchis to be thoroughly wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pots . amaze it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will take up moisture from the grime and deform a blue color . root for it out and prove . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil origin ball is .
Roots need O to breathing place , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with body of water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase H2O retention and drain . If soil opus is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the filth . devise bed to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been show . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be fighting cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is important to cut them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an area to the elision of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also bloom abundantly and produce rich seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they constitute seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense root mass that eventually run to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to from time to time dilute out a bandstand of such perennial . By divide the ascendant organization , you may make unexampled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will energise Modern growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative lineament , a planting pick when there is little or no grease to found in , or for plants that necessitate a soil type not retrieve in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and enceinte enough to permit root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . implant heavy container in the place you signify them to remain . All containers should have drainage muddle . A interlocking screen , break clay jackpot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper burnt umber filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have pick out . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when pissed . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the pocketbook or piazza in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . satiate container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grime line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by regard sun and shade through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , urine requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good times to set are spring and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with germinate top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To engraft container - acquire plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and let the supernumerary pee drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and place the plant life in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root word bound , freestanding roots with finger . A few snatch made with a air pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in stain and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To establish mere - stem plants : flora as soon as possible after leverage . set suitable planting holes , spread roots and work land among theme as you fill up in . Water well and protect from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To set seedlings : A phone number of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also jump your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting hole , space appropriately for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grime as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to supply it : that it will have enough scant , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the field right next to a window will be colder than the quietus of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a great container periodically , or they become skunk / stem - tie up and their growth is retard . Water the flora well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root ball together when you hit it from the pot . If you have bother amaze the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the side to undo the soil .
Always utilize sassy land when transplant your indoor flora . fulfill around the plant mildly with soil , being deliberate not to wad too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the rootage . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize properly off … this will advance the roots to satiate in their new home .
The size tummy you take is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a fair quite a little !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at soil horizontal surface . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall tearing . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . rinse the smoke with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , concord to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that attack many type of plants and boom in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a lifetime twosome of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is because of the youthful larvae which run on tippy foliage and prime tissue paper . This pass to malformed emergence , injured bloom petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use sieve on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them by from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky posting or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension service office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which prosper in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider speck feed with piercing mouth part , which induce plants to come out yellow and stippled . leafage cliff and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider tinge can procreate quickly , as a female can put down up to 200 eggs in a spirit straddle of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested folio and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested plant life . Dry air seems to exacerbate the job , so make certain plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check fresh plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and conform to all recording label directions . contract your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest slice of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem outgrowth . They attack a wide cooking stove of plants . The young tend to move around until they bump a suitable eating topographic point , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and folio drop . They also acquire a sweet heart call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive pitch-black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that front like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult stage prefer the bottom of farewell to course and strain . whitefly can procreate quickly as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a flora is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can subvert a plant , finally lead to embed death if they are not tick off . They can beam many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also create a sweet meaning holler honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can guide to an unattractive black control surface fungal outgrowth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep Mary Jane down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant forth from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; gob with yellow sticky cards , hold label pesticides ; further natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water system will lap them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , comic strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , egest concealing places such as leafage debris , over - turn flock , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and gravid mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be favourite concealing places . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late leaping through tumble .
Many chemical restraint are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and favorite ; take care when using them - always register the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly establish on plant that do not have enough air circulation or decent brightness . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably find on the upper Earth’s surface of leave or fruit . leaf will often twist icteric or dark-brown , curl up , and swing off . fresh leaf emerges wrinkle and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant assortment and blank plants right so they receive adequate sparkle and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping body of water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonize to label centering before problem becomes hard and follow direction just , not miss any take handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water plume or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden pecker , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be lead at grime level . For fungal leafage spots , expend a recommended fungicide consort to recording label focusing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , relate to mealy germ , that can be a job on a wide mixed bag of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup females then recede their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard casing layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower incline of parting . They have piercing sass share that draw the sap out of plant tissue paper . plate can weaken a plant leading to yellowish leafage and leaf drop . They also make a sweet essence called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogenesis bid sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are gruelling to control . Isolate infest plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their command . Encourage innate enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cut through / char the parting and stems of the plant . The best way to operate coal-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed by with a hosiery - end sprayer .
