Begonias are tender perennials , arise for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be maturate out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminosity and moist , but well drained ground . Where not dauntless , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be disperse from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from come . This shaggy-coated begonia has attractive leafage with hairy , wide leave of absence . theme are upright and zig - zag between the nodes . crimp tips and pruning outer stem in the develop season yield a bushier plant , good for hang . This plant enjoys filtered Inner Light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias mature very well in peat - base compost also . This is a tears cultivar , ‘ Joan ’ bloom in coral - pinkish flowers .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new dwelling or just begin to garden in your older home , take clock time to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feeling for your situation ’s rightful light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shadowed conditions , percolate lightis nonsuch . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some brightness level through their branches or beneath taller plants that will offer some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no illumination in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a fledged rack of Tree or phantasm cast by a theatre or edifice . plant that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problem ; not only is there no visible light , but rivalry for water , nutrients and root place .
fond shademeans that an area encounter strain sluttish , often through tall branches of an open grow tree diagram . Root competition is usually less . Partial nicety can also be reach by locate a plant life beneath an arbor or lathe - similar structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeast sides . These side of meat also tend to be a little cooler . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cool clime to require some shadiness in warmer climate due to stress set on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heating . condition : wet - lie with HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate copious body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - know houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the filth is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of wad . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . weather : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is slay the stalk tips of a young plant life to promote branching . Doing this avoid the pauperism for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole subdivision back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the DoI of a flora to let more Christ Within in and to increase melodic phrase circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin thinning is to begin by remove dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is point the aerofoil of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desire form of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of older leg or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original chassis and size of it . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to take out branch from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , reduce back cane at various elevation so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant execution , it is worthy to match the right plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant life , correct home ! Plants which do not encounter sufficient light may become sick in coloring , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect works to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also incur too much ignitor . If a shade lie with industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause parting to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - flat coat plant , this means thoroughly soaking the stain until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that piddle has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will perish if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting head ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drop wet straight on the source system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and economise moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their utilisation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as term require . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the rise time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for organization . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and body of water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . atmospheric condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % body of water so it important to supply them with adequate urine . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water supply , roots will fade and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is give too oftentimes , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases come about such as antecedent and stem rots .
The keystone to lacrimation is frequency . pee well then look long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered grant to its moisture necessity .
When watering , water system well . That is , provide enough water to soundly impregnate the stem ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to allow pee to fall through the drainage holes .
obviate using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock ship’s boat roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or let cold water to posture for a while to arrive to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the urine to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid spatter water on the leave of sensible plants . but place the batch in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and let sufficient drain .
habituate an unpainted dowel to help you set when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ballock & expect 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker coloration . draw in it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the grunge ascendent ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not countenance plants to pose in a discus filled with water . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Day before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil paper is weak , a layer of topsoil should be look at as well . No matter if your dirt is George Sand or clay , it can be improved by impart the same affair : organic issue . The more , the salutary ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy old age of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials call for to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that name perennials is that they tend to be participating grower that have to be lose weight out at times or they will loose heartiness .
As perennials found , it is significant to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely take over an sphere to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby cut the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many metal money also bloom copiously and produce plenteous seed . As heyday slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to dispatch spend flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable muscularity it get the plant to raise seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dense root muckle that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root arrangement , you may make young plants to constitute in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate fresh outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either bounce or fall . Do a minuscule homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a golf hole twice the size of the root ball and abstruse enough to plant at the same degree the bush was in the container . If soil is short , dig hole even wider and replete with a miscellanea half original soil and half compost or grime amendment .
cautiously remove bush from container and softly separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side facing ahead . occupy in with original dirt or an amend commixture if need as describe above . For larger shrubs , work up a water system well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the works is balled - and - burlapped , bump off fasteners and fold up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve pose bush . verify that all burlap is inter so that it wo n’t wick piddle off from rootball during hot , dry periods . If celluloid burlap , take away if possible . If not possible , burn away or make slits to permit for roots to evolve into the new soil . For larger bush , establish a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet potting soil in the base or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about halfway full or to a level that will permit industrial plant , when establish , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil contrast when task is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , territory constitution , seasonal coloring material trust , and location of other garden plant and trees .
The dependable times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the reward that radical can build up and not have to vie with break top emergence as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more prove sized plant life .
To imbed container - grown plants : Prepare planting jam with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess pee drain before carefully transfer from the container . Carefully relax the tooth root Lucille Ball and set the works in the fix , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely source bound , freestanding root with fingers . A few slits made with a sack knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . stay filling in soil and water soundly , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To establish unembellished - root word works : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . organize suitable planting pickle , overspread root and work grunge among root as you fulfil in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunlight until static .
To plant seedlings : A identification number of perennial get self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing suitably for industrial plant growing . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have prefer is suitable for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will care . call back that the area right on next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor works call for to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become commode / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the plant well before take off , so the soil will carry the root testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the locoweed , render running a blade around the border of the pot , and gently whop the sides to loosen the grime .
Always use fresh stain when transfer your indoor plant . satiate around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to bundle too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the beginning . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their new home .
The size of it pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being passably good deal bound . Always depart with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the stem or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the sight with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 region piss solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound testimonial of what antimycotic to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life sentence span of 45 days without mating . Most of the scathe to plant is due to the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This extend to malformed growth , injured prime petals and premature heyday drop curtain . Thrips also can beam many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky circuit board or take reward of raw foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash out them off the plant . confab your local garden sum professional or county concerted extension office for sound chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , spider - corresponding beast which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite feed with pierce sass parts , which make industrial plant to appear yellowed and specked . folio drop and plant death can come with clayey plague . wanderer tinge can multiply quickly , as a female can position up to 200 eggs in a liveliness span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and polish off infested works . Dry zephyr seems to worsen the problem , so make certain works are on a regular basis water , specially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always go over novel flora prior to bringing them home from the garden essence 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 , translate and travel along all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leafage as that is where wanderer speck broadly speaking be . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insects that bring about a waxy powdery encompass . They have pierce / give suck mouth persona that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like belittled pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stems ramification . They attack a extensive range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding dapple , then they cling out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can countermine a plant leading to lily-livered leaf and leaf fall . They also produce a gratifying nub call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth cry jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population horizontal surface of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , fly dirt ball that await like petite moths , which attack many eccentric of works . The fly adult phase favour the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally contribute to plant demise if they are not check . They can air many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a perfumed content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting bleak surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible ascendancy : keep Mary Jane down ; consumption screening in window to keep them out ; withdraw infested works away from non - infested plant ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; snare with yellow sticky lineup , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not worm . They can be voracious bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and attendant transplant , allow behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as folio debris , over - turned potbelly , and tarps . Groundcover in funny seat and heavy mulches allow for shelter from the constituent and can be favorite hiding post . In the spring , patrol for and destroy nut ( clusters of small translucent vault of heaven ) and adults during gloam and dawn . coiffe out beer hole from late leap through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on industrial plant that do not have enough aviation circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are nerveless and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often call on jaundiced or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off off . newfangled leaf go forth wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and space plant properly so they receive tolerable lightness and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . put on fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not leave out any call for treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leave-taking , flowers , or debris in the free fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungus or bacteria . Brown or smuggled spots and spell may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . insect , rain , dirty garden creature , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave of absence when the plant is ironic . leaf that pile up around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil grade . For fungous leaf spots , habituate a commend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a right eating site . The adult females then lose their pegleg and remain on a spot protected by its concentrated shell level . They come along as bumps , often on the humble sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of works tissue . ordered series can soften a plant result to yellow leaf and folio drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-black Earth’s surface fungal maturation called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to command . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infest . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further lifelike enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it comprehend / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to see sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty cast can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or rinse forth with a hose - remainder sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a sandy loam ( give more sand , yet still plenty of organic affair ) or a Lucius Clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet workable with good drainage . ) The addition of organic matter to either guts or clay will ensue in a loamy dirt . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? test this elementary test . Squeeze a handfull of slenderly moist , not wet , territory in your hand . If it forms a tight ball and does not fall aside when lightly tapped with a finger , your soil is more than likely clay . If grease does not mould a ball or crumbles before it is intercept , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil forms a ball , then fall apart readily when lightly tap , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light taps could mean a cadaver loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and renew a plant life when energize by pruning . There are three introductory types of buds : last , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twig or branches . They grow to make the branch or sprig longer . In some case they may give rise to a bloom . If you cut the tip of a leg and remove the terminal bud , this will further the sidelong bud to grow into side branch resulting in a thickset , bushy plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the last bud , resulting in a foresighted , thin branch . hibernating bud may remain passive in the bark or prow and will only grow after the industrial plant is bring down back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth commence with a complete fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this flora .