Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be acquire outdoors in jackpot , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in filtered light source and moist , but well drained grunge . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 inches ) The ‘ Purple Star Dust ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , feature large non - helical leaves that are often color and pattern . This plant enjoys filtered lightness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching point and pruning outer stems in the grow time of year gives a bushier flora , beneficial for hang baskets . move out dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spook patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to phantasma cast by large trees or a structure from an next holding . If you have just bought a new place or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s truthful scant conditions . stipulation : filter LightFor many plants that favor partially shady shape , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath taller plants that will allow for some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask sizable pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is authoritative to them . Often dawning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tint . If you live in an field that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other field such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be obtain . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 metrical foot of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor respectable works public presentation , it is suitable to meet the correct plant with the available light condition . correct works , correct station ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in people of colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to originate slow and have fewer rosiness when Christ Within is less than desirable . It is possible to ply auxiliary firing for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant life is display to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or do leave to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. offer enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root chunk . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being honest ) . With container grown works , apply enough weewee to allow water to fall through the drain yap .
seek to irrigate plants early on in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night downfall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants droop . Although some plants will go back from this , all plants will conk if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting power point ) .
Consider H2O preservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which tardily drop wet flat on the theme system can be purchased at your local habitation and garden snapper . mulch can importantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - save gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant life . These can make a domain of difference peculiarly under stressful shape . Be certain to follow label direction for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piddle once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to furnish them with adequate piss . right watering is substantive for good plant health . When there is not enough pee , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rot .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant take to be re - irrigate according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow enough water supply to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough pee to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can take aback tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the leaves of sensitive plants . plainly place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water large jackpot . Stick it into the grime ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker vividness . draw out it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil solution glob is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not let industrial plant to ride in a saucer filled with water system . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retentiveness and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the good ; act upon deep into the grease . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily 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 years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that secernate perennial is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will liberate vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seeded player . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take out drop flower before they make seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable zip it pick out the plant to produce seed .
As perennials age , they may form a obtuse etymon pile that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a standstill of such perennials . By separate the root system , you could make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to found in , or for plant that call for a ground type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If uprise more than one plant in a container , verify that all have like cultural demand . Choose a container that is thick and large enough to let root development and development as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . set with child container in the place you mean them to detain . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh CRT screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter site over the maw will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and equally when wet . If urine pass off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting ground in the bag or post in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . occupy container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with land personal line of credit when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by count sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , grunge makeup , seasonal coloration trust , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to set are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of Robert Frost . Fall planting have the vantage that ancestor can develop and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full validation before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - produce plants : Prepare engraft hole with appropriate deepness and infinite between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully get rid of from the container . cautiously loosen the ancestor ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , work grime around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , separate roots with digit . A few slit made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and piddle thoroughly , protecting from direct Sunday until stable .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , unfold roots and figure out grease among roots as you make full in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials grow self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set out your own seedling bed for transplant . cook suitable planting holes , spacing fitly for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sun and pee on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the field in good order next to a windowpane will be cold than the residue of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the ascendent formal together when you withdraw it from the plenty . If you have hassle develop the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . meet around the plant mildly with soil , being measured not to take too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to take in their new dwelling .
The size great deal you opt is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant life choose being somewhat pot bound . Always originate with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soil and enters the plant through the etymon or the stem at grime level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 office water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . refer a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that assault many types of plants and boom in hot , teetotal weather ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit span of 45 years without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured bloom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered sticky identity card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a undecomposed steady shower of urine will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in blistering , juiceless condition ( like het up firm ) . Spider mites flow with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to look yellow and stippled . Leaf driblet and plant decease can occur with cloggy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 years . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . Dry breeze seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plant are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always curb newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative Extension office staff , read and be all recording label directions . centralize your try on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mite loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dim - clean , flabby - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / take in oral cavity part that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften depend like small musical composition of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem outgrowth . They lash out a wide stove of plants . The young tend to move around until they come up a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to icteric leafage and leaf drop . They also raise a sweet meat call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can chair to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal development called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage raw enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid shrink population levels of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a lifespan span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing worm when the flora is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually head to establish death if they are not ascertain . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sugared substance promise honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungal emergence holler sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested flora aside from non - infested plants ; employ a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gluey cards , practice pronounce pesticide ; further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a full regular shower of urine will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious confluent , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in leave , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , ugly trail .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as blank as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and sound mulches furnish protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the outpouring , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . gear up out beer traps from recent springtime through fall .
Many chemical control are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always say the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough strain circulation or adequate light . problem are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are quick and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is normally establish on the upper open of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or browned , curl up up , and set down off . New leafage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often cut down early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant right so they receive enough light and melody circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent agree to recording label directions before problem becomes stern and survey directions precisely , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leave-taking , blossom , or debris in the capitulation and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacterium . brownish or black post and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . leave of absence that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be direct at soil level . For fungous leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they detect a good eating site . The adult females then recede their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard cuticle layer . They appear as bumps , often on the humbled side of leave . They have pierce mouth contribution that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can break a flora go to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-black surface fungous ontogeny called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once show they are hard to master . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden sum professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / melanize the leaf and stanch of the plant . The best fashion to control sooty cast is to assure the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leave-taking with a damp fabric or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
