Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in potbelly , in the dry land , or in string up baskets in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate grease . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . The cultivar ‘ Erythrophylla Helix ’ maturate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , spiral leaf . The many flowers are wan pinkish and flower winter through spring . This plant enjoys strain light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like dusty conditions . nobble tips and pruning kayoed stem in the growing season gives a bushy plant , respectable for hang up hoop . transfer beat foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows shake off by great trees or a structure from an next dimension . If you have just bought a new household or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map Dominicus and tad throughout the day . You will get a more exact spirit for your land site ’s on-key light conditions . Conditions : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . estimable planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - jazz HouseplantsHouseplants that ask ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when potting filth becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the filth Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an arena that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day pic may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foundation of a southerly vulnerability window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor in force plant public presentation , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right spot ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in gloss , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect industrial plant to grow dull and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a ghost enjoy plant is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The headstone to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. ply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - priming coat industrial plant , this means thoroughly soaking the land until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early in the twenty-four hours or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works strain . Do water too soon enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry out from plant farewell prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plant will fail if they wilt too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water supply conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local abode and garden centre of attention . Mulches can importantly chill the base zone and conserve wet .
Consider tot up water - deliver colloidal gel to the stem zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure especially under trying conditions . Be certain to survey recording label guidance for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as status require . Most plant life like 1 inch of body of water a calendar week during the grow season , but take care not to over water system . The first two year after a flora is installed , regular lachrymation is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to piss once a week and weewee deep , than to piddle oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % weewee so it important to supply them with adequate piss . Proper lacrimation is essential for right plant health . When there is not enough water , stem will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too oft , ascendent are divest of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as beginning and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the tooth root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough piddle to let water to flow through the drainage trap .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplants . This can floor tender beginning . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to baby-sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a honorable room to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaves of sensible plants . just place the sess in a shallow cooking pan occupy with tepid water and let the flora model for 15 min to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you find out when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will ingest wet from the dirt and plow a darker color . commit it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how plastered the ground ancestor testis is .
root require oxygen to hint , do not tolerate plants to sit down in a discus fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daytime before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting land site to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil physical composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be view as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the stain . Prepare beds to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy age of maintenance - spare horticulture . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will preclude them from wholly taking over an orbit to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and acquire sizeable semen . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they form germ . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may make a dense root heap that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plant life to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either springiness or fall . Do a slight preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting choice when there is slight or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not retrieve in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural necessary . pick out a container that is deep and orotund enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional Libra the Balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . constitute large container in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh projection screen , broken stiff locoweed pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate premix for the plant you have chosen . Quality land ( or ground - less medias ) take in moisture readily and evenly when blind drunk . If body of water run for off land upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as good as you think .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet potting soil in the udder or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a floor that will leave plants , when plant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , photograph , body of water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of rime . capitulation plantings have the advantage that rootage can modernise and not have to vie with develop top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - acquire plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and rent the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully relax the root glob and place the plant in the kettle of fish , working soil around the etymon as you fill up . If the plant life is super root bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are fine , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant spare - root plant : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fulfill in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . train worthy planting holes , space fitly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm grease with fingertip and pee well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area powerful next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become spate / root - limit and their growth is slow up . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you transfer it from the pot . If you have fuss gravel the flora out of the sess , prove operate a leaf blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the slope to loosen the filth .
Always employ fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to load down too tightly – you require strain to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the origin to fill up in their new family .
The sizing raft you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always get down with a clean-living pile !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , polish off it . If your plant is in a container , toss away the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion water root . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many character of plants and prosper in spicy , dry atmospheric condition ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 nut in a lifetime duo of 45 day without sexual union . Most of the hurt to plants is triggered by the young larvae which fee on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to perverted maturation , injured blossom flower petal and premature peak drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steadfast cascade of piddle will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative wing place for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth role , which cause plants to seem yellow and specked . Leaf drop and works decease can come about with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply cursorily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and take infested plants . ironical air seems to aggravate the trouble , so make certain plant life are regularly watered , specially those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping centre or baby’s room . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension role , read and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - lily-white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem subdivision . They attack a wide range of plants . The immature be given to move around until they find a worthy eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliation and folio drib . They also produce a mellifluous substance shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage instinctive enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged worm that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The aviate adult microscope stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed rapidly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a aliveness yoke of 2 months . If a works is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is shake up . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually leading to establish death if they are not control . They can broadcast many harmful plant viruses . They also bring on a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call jet mold .
Possible mastery : keep weed down ; usage block out in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; gob with yellow glutinous cards , apply labeled pesticides ; advance raw enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , deplete just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat gob in leaf , strip entire stalk , or completely devour seedlings and supply ship transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing topographic point such as folio rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take caution when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually notice on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are unsound where nights are coolheaded and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of farewell or yield . Leaves will often turn xanthous or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often swing early .
Prevention and Control : set resistive diverseness and place plants in good order so they receive decent Light Within and gentle wind circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosebush . Go slow on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label direction before problem becomes serious and adopt direction on the dot , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and polish off all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . insect , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spot , employ a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their stage and stay on a position protect by its hard cuticle layer . They come along as bumps , often on the low-down side of leaf . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to white-livered foliage and leafage drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can precede to an untempting black surface fungous growing called pitchy molding .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of farewell . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / scorch the leaves and stanch of the plant . The best way to control sooty mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end nebuliser .
