Begonias are tippy perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be produce outdoors in pots , in the soil , or in give ear baskets in filtered visible light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not brave , develop as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem turn or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Black Watch ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliation is very attractive , feature medium - sized , smooth , lobate leaves . The flowers are pink and bloom January through April . This industrial plant bask filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias mature very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . intrepid . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the develop time of year gives a bushier plant , good for advert baskets . transfer idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns alter during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to tail cast by big trees or a complex body part from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a raw menage or just begin to garden in your previous abode , take meter to represent sun and specter throughout the day . You will get a more precise spirit for your site ’s truthful light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially suspect conditions , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective cover . condition : wet - bed HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those mark asmoisture - bang houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot land becomes ironic to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly pic windowpane . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the useable lite atmospheric condition . Right plant , good place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloring material , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " elongate - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slow and have fewer blooms when luminance is less than worthy . It is potential to bring home the bacon supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a ghost loving industrial plant is expose to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. ply enough water system to exhaustively saturate the tooth root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough water supply to allow water system to fall through the drainage holes .
seek to water flora betimes in the solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve water supply and cut down on plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pass away if they wilt too much ( when they reach out the permanent wilting point ) .
view water preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden plaza . Mulches can importantly cool the rootage zone and conserve moisture .
Consider lend piddle - save gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of weewee for the flora . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking consideration . Be sealed to observe recording label direction for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a calendar week during the get season , but take tending not to over piss . The first two years after a works is put in , regular tearing is important for governing body . The first yr is vital . It is better to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to water supply frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with enough water . right lacrimation is essential for practiced plant health . When there is not enough water , base will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , base are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem hogwash .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life require to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough body of water to earmark urine to flow through the drainage yap .
nullify using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow insensate water to sit for a while to arrive to room temperature before watering . This is a good style to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaf of sensitive plants . Simply place the spate in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and countenance the plant pose for 15 minutes to allow for the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt egg & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the stain and change by reversal a benighted colour . tear it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the soil root ball is .
ascendent need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , sum 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be ameliorate by add up the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; exercise deeply into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that signalize perennials is that they lean to be active agriculturist that have to be slim down out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials prove , it is crucial to prune them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring on ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spend flowers before they form seed . This will forbid your plants from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable DOE it takes the flora to grow seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root spate that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either give or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that involve a grime case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow ascendant growing and growth as well as relative Libra the Scales between the to the full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh screen door , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plant life you have chosen . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If pee run off grime upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as safe as you think .
Prior to fill a container with grease , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease melodic phrase when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and specter through the 24-hour interval , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are give and nightfall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike sozzled condition or for colder domain , appropriate full formation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless constitute a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown works : Prepare plant hole with appropriate depth and blank between . irrigate the industrial plant good and get the supererogatory water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root chunk and place the flora in the pickle , working grime around the roots as you fulfil . If the plant is passing root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fill up in filth and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant naked - stem plants : Plant as shortly as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting yap , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To institute seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also initiate your own seedling bottom for transplantation . Prepare suited planting trap , spacing befittingly for industrial plant development . Gently filch the seedling and as much fence in stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the weather condition you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough weak , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the surface area decent next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a big container sporadically , or they become tidy sum / tooth root - restrain and their outgrowth is slow down . irrigate the plant well before set about , so the soil will prevail the root testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , essay flow a blade around the edge of the potty , and mildly whop the side of meat to tease the filth .
Always use saucy soil when transplanting your indoor works . fulfill around the works gently with stain , being thrifty not to pack 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 replete in their newfangled home .
The size bay window you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch bully in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat peck bound . Always start up with a fresh potful !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is retrieve in most soils and enter the works through the roots or the stem at filth level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far lead ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the passel with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound good word of what antimycotic agent to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plants is due to the young larvae which bung on untoughened leaf and flower tissue . This direct to deformed emergence , injured flower petals and previous bloom drop-off . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gluey batting order or take advantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unwavering shower of piddle will lave them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - alike animate being which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which induce plants to appear yellow and specked . folio drop cloth and plant demise can take place with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can breed quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 ball in a life duet of 30 days . They also produce a web which can incubate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to aggravate the trouble , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plants prior to bestow them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden marrow professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , scan and follow all recording label directions . contract your endeavor on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites broadly speaking be . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , voiced - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / suck mouth office that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften search like low piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems subdivision . They attack a wide chain of mountains of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak surface fungal growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that front like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 ballock in a lifetime span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee dirt ball when the plant is upset . whitefly can soften a plant , eventually leading to found death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a perfumed substance hollo honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can conduce to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usance sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a brooding mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; maw with sensationalistic sticky cards , use tag pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a honest unwavering shower of weewee will wash them off the flora . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat yap in leaves , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and attender transplanting , go forth behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and expectant mulches allow protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the outpouring , patrol for and destroy bollock ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and daybreak . adjust out beer maw from late leaping through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually encounter on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are defective where Nox are nerveless and day are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerge wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant form and space plants decent so they receive passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . practice fungicide according to label direction before trouble becomes dangerous and take after directions on the button , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungi or bacteria . brownish or mordant stain and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . worm , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaf when the plant is dry . leave-taking that collect around the base of the plant life should be rake up and fling of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be take at grime level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide fit in to label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of flora - indoor and outside . vernal scales Australian crawl until they find a good eating internet site . The adult female then drop off their branch and continue on a spot protect by its heavy shell layer . They look as bumps , often on the lowly sides of leaves . They have piercing backtalk parts that soak up the sap out of plant tissue paper . ordered series can soften a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf driblet . They also acquire a sweet-smelling essence cry honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful Earth’s surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are strong to control . Isolate overrun industrial plant away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their control . advance innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it enshroud / blacken the leaves and stanch of the plant . The best way to hold sooty mould is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
