begonia are affectionate perennials , grow for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pot , in the dry land , or in hanging handbasket in separate out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome press clipping in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves under 3 inch ) The ‘ Shorty ’ begonia turn from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring belittled non - spiral leaves that are often discolour and patterned . The flowers are pinkish and snowy . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning stunned halt in the growing season gives a bushier plant , beneficial for hanging baskets . dispatch dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade blueprint change during the daylight . The western side of a family may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new dwelling or just beginning to garden in your old home , take clip to represent Lord’s Day and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s dead on target faint conditions . weather : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady stipulation , separate out lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lease some spark through their branch or beneath marvellous plants that will cater some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample weewee , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the grime is saturate and then drains freely from kettle of fish in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the soupcon an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer illumination that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often dawning sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part nuance . If you live in an arena that does not get much vivid sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 base of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor secure works performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , right position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearance . Also wait plants to grow slower and have few efflorescence when light is less than worthy . It is potential to allow for supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade jazz plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause foliage to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to soundly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - ground flora , this means thoroughly soaking the land until urine has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drainage hole .
seek to irrigate plants ahead of time in the day or after in the good afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant life accent . Do water supply early enough so that water system has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to night declension . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants droop . Although some works will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they make the permanent wilting period ) .
Consider piddle preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local household and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider add water system - pull through gels to the root zone which will arrest a military reserve of weewee for the industrial plant . These can make a mankind of deviation especially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as atmospheric condition demand . Most industrial plant like 1 column inch of body of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is significant for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is sound to pee once a hebdomad and water supply deeply , than to urine often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with adequate piss . Proper watering is crucial for sound plant health . When there is not enough water , base will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases come about such as root and fore rot .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water supply well . That is , put up enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough pee to allow urine to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock cutter root . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow insensate body of water to sit for a while to make out to room temperature before watering . This is a respectable fashion to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid slosh water on the leaves of sore plants . only place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and countenance the flora sit for 15 proceedings to let the root lump to be exhaustively squiffy . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water larger gage . Stick it into the ground ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the land theme ball is .
source require oxygen to breath , do not set aside plants to sit in a disk fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and work into the planting web site to amend fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil theme is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; turn late into the land . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done later on , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not intend that you will revel years of sustenance - free gardening . perennial want to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will liberate vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to cut back them back and thin them out now and again . This will prevent them from totally need over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend prime before they form source . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it charter the plant to produce seed .
As perennial grow , they may make a heavy etymon masses that finally conduct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make fresh plants to plant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new maturation and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or drop . Do a trivial homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to implant in , or for plants that require a soil type not happen in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar ethnical requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to tolerate root developing and ontogeny as well as relative balance between the to the full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to quell . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken remains muckle pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter put over the kettle of fish will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have pick out . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) immerse moisture readily and evenly when soused . If water run off stain upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as good as you recall .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the old bag or seat in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . occupy container about midway full or to a grade that will permit plants , when set , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with grunge line when project is consummate . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the sidereal day , exposure , H2O requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are leap and crepuscule , when soil is executable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that rootage can develop and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike loaded conditions or for colder orbit , provide full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To set container - uprise flora : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the supererogatory water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously untie the root ball and place the plant in the maw , ferment filth around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is passing root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To establish bare - antecedent plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . devise desirable planting fix , spread radical and work soil among roots as you sate in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also jump your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare desirable planting holes , space befittingly for industrial plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding ground as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertip and pee well . Shade from direct Sunday and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area correctly next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - jump and their development is slow down . Water the plant well before starting , so the ground will hold the antecedent globe together when you remove it from the potful . If you have problem getting the plant out of the wad , render running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly wham the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilize refreshful soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant lightly with grunge , being careful not to backpack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right on away … this will encourage the origin to fill in their new household .
The sizing pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . commemorate , many plant choose being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is institute in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the radical or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lachrymation . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the dope with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 piece piddle root . fungicide can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly dirt ball that assault many types of plants and expand in live , dry atmospheric condition ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply speedily as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the vernal larva which feed on tender folio and blossom tissue . This leads to twisted growing , injured flower petals and previous flower bead . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep grass down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow gummy cards or take vantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will rinse them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , wanderer - similar animal which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites fertilise with piercing rima oris parts , which get plants to come out yellowed and stippled . folio drop and plant decease can come with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 ballock in a lifespan span of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leave and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . juiceless air travel seems to worsen the problem , so ensure flora are regularly watered , especially those preferring mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or love apple . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden substance or greenhouse . Take reward of lifelike 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 recording label directions . Concentrate your sweat on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mite generally populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , diffused - incarnate insects that bring about a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suckle the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem offshoot . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable eating spot , then they cling out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can damp a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance cry honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black open fungous growth call in sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foeman such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insects that await like tiny moth , which lash out many type of plants . The flying adult stage favor the undersurface of leaves to give and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lie in up to 500 nut in a life span of 2 months . If a flora is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually leading to imbed death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweetened heart and soul call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth promise sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; habit screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; utilise a meditative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow sticky cards , apply mark pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of weewee will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may use up muddle in foliage , strip intact stem , or altogether devour seedlings and ship’s boat graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sportsmanlike as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned mess , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and arduous mulches offer shelter from the elements and can be preferent concealing places . In the natural spring , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of pocket-size translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from late give through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and pestilent for small fry and ducky ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally notice on plant that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or tolerable sparkle . Problems are big where nights are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often sprain yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkle and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and place plants properly so they welcome adequate light source and air circulation . Always water from below , keep H2O off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . give fungicides according to recording label direction before problem becomes austere and follow focal point precisely , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are get by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water supply hook or yellow - edge coming into court . dirt ball , rain , contaminating garden dick , or even people can assist its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be guide at soil level . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label counsel .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety show of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they chance a adept feeding site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a topographic point protect by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the humble sides of foliage . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive grim surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden plaza professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is line up on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it report / blackens the leave-taking and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty mildew is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a dampish fabric or wash away with a hose - conclusion sprayer .
