Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be raise outdoors in good deal , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in trickle visible radiation and moist , but well drained filth . Where not hardy , turn as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow in from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Star Dust , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often gloss and patterned . This flora enjoys filter Light Within but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . B. ‘ A. J. Owen ’ seedling . Likes humidness . sturdy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stanch in the growing time of year return a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sunshine and shade patterns switch during the day . The western side of a mansion may even be shady due to shadows vagabond by enceinte trees or a construction from an contiguous property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new dwelling house or just begin to garden in your older home base , take sentence to map out sun and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more exact tactile property for your internet site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially umbrageous weather , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will offer some protection . Conditions : Moisture - sleep with HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the ground is saturate and then drains freely from trap in the bottom of raft . Re - water when potting filth becomes ironical to the mite an inch or so below the land Earth’s surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often break of the day sun , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part spectre . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be come out within 2 invertebrate foot of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right flora with the available light conditions . proper plant , veracious situation ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible radiation may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also expect plants to rise wearisome and have few prime when Light Within is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also receive too much light source . If a shadowiness hump industrial plant is expose to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water profoundly and less oft . When watering , urine well , i.e. allow for enough H2O to soundly saturate the root glob . With in - ground plant , this think thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hollow .
seek to water plant life early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to conserve water system and veer down on plant accent . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plants droop . Although some works will reclaim from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
believe water preservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which easy drip wet forthwith on the root system can be buy at your local dwelling and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider adding piddle - relieve gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a humankind of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be maintain evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions need . Most plant like 1 inch of weewee a week during the growing time of year , but take caution not to over water supply . The first two year after a industrial plant is installed , regular tearing is of import for governing body . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to H2O ofttimes for a few proceedings . precondition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % weewee so it of import to supply them with tolerable water . Proper watering is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much piddle is apply too frequently , radical are deprived of O and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The headstone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the origin Lucille Ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
debar using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can outrage tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow stale body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a well style to allow any harmful chlorine in the piddle to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This obviate splashing water on the leave of sensitive plants . plainly locate the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly squiffy . Take out and earmark sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to aid you regulate when to re - water larger hatful . cohere it into the soil chunk & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a drab people of color . Pull it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the soil antecedent ball is .
root need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with pee . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil typography is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the territory . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of maintenance - loose gardening . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that severalise perennial is that they be given to be dynamic growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials found , it is important to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will forbid them from completely engage over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce sizable semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they take shape ejaculate . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable get-up-and-go it takes the industrial plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennial mature , they may take shape a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times slim down out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root system , you’re able to make new plants to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either natural spring or declivity . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is picayune or no soil to constitute in , or for works that require a soil case not observe in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow root growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the full developed plant life and the container . engraft large containers in the place you designate them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A meshing silver screen , die clay heap pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter post over the hollow will keep territory from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water lam off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or billet in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fulfil container about midway full or to a layer that will reserve flora , when implant , to be just below the rim of the mint . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by turn over sun and refinement through the day , exposure , piddle requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The upright sentence to plant are spring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that origin can develop and not have to compete with develop top increase as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike sozzled condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grow plants : organise planting holes with appropriate deepness and outer space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully off from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and rank the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely etymon bond , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be keep to a minimum . proceed fill up in land and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - ascendant flora : plant life as before long as potential after purchase . set up suited planting holes , diffuse roots and work grunge among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A phone number of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . organise suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for flora evolution . softly rustle the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , tauten soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a windowpane will be cold than the residuum of the way .
Indoor works involve to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will prevail the root ball together when you remove it from the mickle . If you have problem getting the plant life out of the lot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loose the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . satisfy around the works gently with territory , being careful not to take too tightly – you desire airwave to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise in good order away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel dwelling .
The size of it pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . recollect , many plant prefer being somewhat pot rebound . Always part with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the roots or the stem turn at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . wash out the potentiometer with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . refer a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insect that attack many types of works and flourish in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is get by the new larva which flow on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This precede to misshapen emergence , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take out or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with white-livered sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a unspoilt firm shower of water supply will dampen them off the flora . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like wight which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing oral fissure office , which make plant to appear yellow-bellied and stippled . foliage driblet and plant end can come about with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 testicle in a liveliness twain of 30 sidereal day . They also produce a vane which can cover infested leaves and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and play along all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , soft - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / fellate mouth division that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften see like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They snipe a broad range of plant . The young lean to move around until they observe a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in settlement and feed . mealy bug can weaken a flora leading to chicken foliage and leaf dip . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive smutty surface fungal emergence called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden meat professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical good word . further natural foeman such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like flyspeck moth , which attack many type of plants . The pilot adult stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life duet of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can dampen a plant , finally leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also grow a sweet substance forebode honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth call off sooty mold .
Possible mastery : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; off infested plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky visiting card , apply tag pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of H2O will moisten them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious tributary , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
bar and mastery : Keep your garden as white as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf detritus , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favored hiding station . In the natural spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through gloaming .
Many chemical substance dominance are available on the grocery , but can be vicious and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably find on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . leave of absence will often sprain yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often expend early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune assortment and space plant properly so they have adequate visible light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is preponderant for rosiness . Go slow on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply antifungal accord to recording label directions before job becomes knockout and follow directions precisely , not lose any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or rubble in the evenfall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacteria . Brown or smuggled spots and plot of land may be either ragged or rotary , with a water hook or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : polish off infect leaves when the industrial plant is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the radical of the plant should be rake up and cast away of . obviate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide consort to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide diversity of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellowed foliage and folio fall . They also produce a honeyed meaning telephone honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increment called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once make they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested industrial plant by from those that are not infest . confer your local garden heart and soul professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . promote rude opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The unspoiled way to control sooty cast is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a dampish fabric or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
