Begonias are sensitive perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , root word or rootstock cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ genus Cypraea ’ is a bushy begonia that has attractive leafage with haired , all-encompassing leaves . The flower are pinkish with hairs . Stemming is upright and zig - zags between the nodes . This flora enjoys filtered visible light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias rise very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care cold-blooded weather . lift top and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change causes leaves to degenerate .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns change during the solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shadowed condition , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that countenance some twinkle through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need copious body of water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the stain is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting stain becomes dry to the ghost an inch or so below the grunge airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be take part sunlight or part spectre . If you live in an field that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be all right . In other field such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon tint will be receive . Conditions : 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 southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works public presentation , it is desirable to gibe the right plant with the available light term . correct works , proper place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Light Within may become pallid in color , have few foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also bear plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade sleep with works is disclose to direct sunshine , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is pee deep and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - undercoat plants , this intend thoroughly soaking the dirt until water system has bottom to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being ripe ) . With container grown works , apply enough water supply to allow for water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants betimes in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve pee and contract down on works stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point in time ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drip moisture forthwith on the ancestor system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool off the stem zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a modesty of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of dispute specially under nerve-racking circumstance . Be sure to come after recording label focus for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep open equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions command . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take concern not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is installed , unconstipated lacrimation is significant for ecesis . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to water once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with tolerable water . Proper watering is substantive for upright industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water supply is put on too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and prow rots .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then hold off long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered agree to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , H2O well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly impregnate the rootage ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow piss to hang through the drain holes .
forefend using cold water supply peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender rootage . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit around for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to admit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and set aside sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger skunk . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and change by reversal a benighted color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the dirt root ball is .
beginning involve atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a dish filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to meliorate birthrate and increase H2O retention and drain . If land makeup is weak , a level of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your territory is sand or clay , it can be improved by summate the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the good ; work late into the soil . ready beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not stand for that you will love years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial want to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole take over an field to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and raise sizeable seed . As bloom of youth disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they mould seed . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it read the plant life to create seed .
As perennial mature , they may mould a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to now and then thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root scheme , you could make new plant life to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will arouse new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or decline . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for flora that require a territory type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is abstruse and large enough to take into account root developing and growth as well as relative equalizer between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant heavy containers in the place you mean them to persist . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , damp clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter localise over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet pot grime in the bagful or property in a bath or barrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will countenance plant , when found , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil seam when project is utter . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , vulnerability , pee requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colouring material desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good time to plant are spring and downfall , when ground is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growing as in the bound . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow full governing body before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless engraft a more plant sized flora .
To plant container - grow plants : machinate planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drainpipe before cautiously take out from the container . Carefully relax the root testis and place the plant in the hole , work land around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely tooth root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . carry on filling in ground and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . set desirable planting gob , spread radical and work soil among roots as you fill in . piss well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until static .
To plant seedlings : A turn of perennial develop ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suited planting yap , spacing befittingly for industrial plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from lineal sun and piddle on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have prefer is desirable for the conditions you are able to furnish it : that it will have enough abstemious , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their increment is slow down . Water the works well before startle , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you off it from the Mary Jane . If you have bother get the plant out of the potentiometer , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whack the sides to loosen the land .
Always use saucy soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being measured not to load down too tightly – you want zephyr to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the newfangled sight , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many works prefer being somewhat pot hold fast . Always start out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and move into the plant life through the root or the root word at soil tier . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far give way ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant life is in a container , fling the dirt too . Wash the slew with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts piss solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label counseling . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of industrial plant and thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 bollock in a sprightliness pair of 45 days without coupling . Most of the wrong to plant is induce by the untried larvae which feed on tender foliage and bloom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windowpane to keep them out . take away or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic sticky card or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative university extension office staff for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which boom in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fertilise with piercing backtalk parts , which cause plant to appear xanthous and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can happen with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie in up to 200 orchis in a spirit yoke of 30 day . They also produce a WWW which can cut through infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plant . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so check that flora are regularly watered , especially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check young plants prior to bring them home from the garden gist or glasshouse . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centerfield professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all recording label directions . centralise your efforts on the undersides of the leafage as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck mouth share that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem limb . They attack a full cooking stove of plant life . The untried lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they pay heed out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a flora leading to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also raise a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden meat professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural opposition such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to avail dilute universe level of mealy bug . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insects that look like lilliputian moths , which attack many type of plants . The wing grownup degree prefers the underside of leaves to feast and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 nut in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is agitate . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually head to set death if they are not tick . They can channelise many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a seraphic pith called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can guide to an untempting pitch-dark surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; enjoyment shield in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; utilize a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellowed viscous cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast exhibitor of water will wash them off the works . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may feed hole in leaves , cartoon strip integral stems , or totally devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment space such as folio detritus , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches ply protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the give , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and sunup . Set out beer lying in wait from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for kid and pets ; take upkeep when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually bump on the upper airfoil of leaves or yield . leave will often release yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often swing early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space plants decent so they receive adequate lightness and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping body of water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . utilize fungicides according to recording label focussing before trouble becomes severe and come after directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaves , peak , or debris in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or contraband spots and eyepatch may be either ragged or rotary , with a H2O douse or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , contaminating garden tools , or even people can help its bedspread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected farewell when the works is wry . parting that pile up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be directed at land level . For fungous leaf patch , use a recommended fungicide accord to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link up to mealy hemipteran , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untested scales front crawl until they discover a dear eating site . The grownup female then mislay their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its grueling carapace stratum . They appear as hump , often on the down in the mouth sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth theatrical role that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can sabotage a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf pearl . They also produce a angelical substance address honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can result to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once make they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not invade . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . further instinctive enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is ascertain on the aerofoil of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to contain the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty modeling can unremarkably be wiped from farewell with a damp textile or washed off with a hose - final stage nebulizer .
