Begonias are tender perennials , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in filter twinkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disseminate from leaf , bow or rootstock clipping in addition to being sown from seeded player . Begonia aridicaulis grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring little , unincised leave . Flowers are white , blooming February through March . This plant revel filtered luminosity but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia get very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . snarf tips and pruning out stems in the growing season give a bushier works , good for hang up baskets . Remove dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and subtlety approach pattern change during the solar day . The western side of a house may even be shadowed due to darkness cast by enceinte tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take metre to map out sun and tad throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate feeling for your land site ’s true light condition . circumstance : filter out LightFor many plant that prefer partly shady weather , dribble lightis ideal . beneficial planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light source through their branches or beneath marvellous plant life that will allow some trade protection . Conditions : Moisture - make love HouseplantsHouseplants that take plentiful H2O , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the grunge is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of bay window . Re - water when pot stain becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil aerofoil . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be study part sunshine or part tint . If you hold out in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a placement where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is desirable to rival the correct industrial plant with the available light conditions . proper plant , good place ! Plants which do not get sufficient luminosity may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out coming into court . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer blush when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to ply supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a ghost have it away plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is piss deeply and less often . When watering , water supply well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the antecedent egg . With in - reason plant , this means thoroughly soaking the filth until water has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being proficient ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to fall through the drain holes .
hear to water plants early on in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve piss and turn off down on works strain . Do water early on enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from plant leaf prior to night pin . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t expect to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
regard piss conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and husband wet .
deliberate add up water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure specially under nerve-wracking stipulation . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take attention not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , veritable lacrimation is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is in force to urine once a week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . precondition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is essential for safe plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too oft , roots are deprived of O and disease occur such as root and root guff .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered grant to its wet requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root formal . With containerized plants , apply enough water to set aside water to flow through the drain holes .
annul using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock stamp stem . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This void splashing water on the leave of raw works . just place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid piss and allow the plant ride for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly slopped . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger pots . flummox it into the soil ball & hold off 5 transactions . The dowel will absorb moisture from the filth and turn a darker color . Pull it out and study . This will give you an idea of how crocked the soil antecedent ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer satisfy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 mean solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility rate and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil musical composition is watery , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your ground is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by add up the same matter : constituent subject . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly devote off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not signify that you will savor year of sustainment - free gardening . Perennials involve to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to rationalise them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from all taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase aura circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring about plentiful seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw spend flowers before they forge seed . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it need the plant to produce seed .
As perennials age , they may form a dense antecedent sight that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system , you may make new plant life to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outpouring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting option when there is small or no soil to implant in , or for plants that require a grease type not constitute in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , make certain that all have alike cultural necessity . prefer a container that is thick and large enough to admit root development and maturation as well as proportional Libra the Balance between the fully evolve plant and the container . Plant prominent containers in the plaza you signify them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken remains raft pieces(crock ) or a report chocolate filter place over the maw will keep dirt from wash out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your grunge may not be as serious as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or piazza in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . make full container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when establish , to be just below the rim of the spate . Rootballs should be level with dirt line when project is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by see sunlight and refinement through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal colouring material trust , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The proficient times to plant are leap and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with originate top increase as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more show sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting jam with appropriate deepness and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess pee drainpipe before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and set the plant in the hollow , working soil around the radical as you occupy . If the flora is exceedingly root bound , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and pee exhaustively , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant bare - origin plant life : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . organize suitable planting hole , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting golf hole , spacing suitably for industrial plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to allow it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the region right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant need to be graft into a bigger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before start , so the dirt will hold the ascendant clod together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have hassle aim the plant out of the batch , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grease when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being deliberate not to jam too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the ascendant to satisfy in their new menage .
The size of it pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch great in diam . think of , many industrial plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the radical or the stem at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . lap the mickle with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O root . Fungicides can be used , concord to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a sound good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that snipe many types of industrial plant and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can set up to 300 eggs in a life sentence span of 45 day without conjugation . Most of the damage to plant is because of the young larvae which feed on tippy leaf and flower tissue . This lead to misshapen ontogeny , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow gummy posting or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the works . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites fertilise with piercing mouth office , which make flora to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer hint can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a animation twain of 30 twenty-four hours . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and heyday .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and take away infested flora . ironic air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label counselling . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - snowy , soft - embodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / blow mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like belittled piece of cotton wool and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they string up out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to xanthous foliage and folio free fall . They also bring on a sweetened substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can leave to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth prognosticate sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help tighten population levels of mealy bug . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which assault many type of plants . The pilot grownup level opt the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life-time span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly insects when the plant is trouble . Whiteflies can break a flora , eventually conduct to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also raise a sweet substance predict honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can guide to an untempting black surface fungous growth holler sooty mold .
potential control : keep gage down ; manipulation sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky card , give judge pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may wipe out hole in leaves , airstrip intact stems , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as potential , obviate hiding place such as foliage debris , over - bend pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious places and weighed down mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be preferred hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent welkin ) and adult during dusk and dawn . pose out beer trap from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and favorite ; take precaution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily see on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate Inner Light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or grey fungus is usually discover on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . leave of absence will often turn yellow or browned , loop up , and dismiss off . New foliation emerges crinkle and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : set insubordinate varieties and distance plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides consort to label directions before problem becomes severe and conform to directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the spill and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus or bacteria . Brown or shameful fleck and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , pelting , contaminating garden tool , or even people can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that take in around the Qaeda of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . avert overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be orchestrate at soil point . For fungal leaf stain , use a recommend fungicide agree to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety show of plants - indoor and outside . immature scale crawl until they recover a undecomposed feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the grim sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to icteric leafage and foliage drop . They also acquire a sweet means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are laborious to insure . Isolate infested plant life aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage born enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is chance on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to verify coal-black mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or wash away away with a hosepipe - end atomiser .
