Begonias are sore perennials , grown for their colourful blossom and leaf . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered brightness and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , originate as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root word or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sown from seed . ‘ Disco Queen ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , feature medium - sized , smooth , unincised leaves . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . sturdy . Does not like cold-blooded weather . Pinching summit and pruning outer halt in the growing season gives a bushy plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove drained leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade normal exchange during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows roam by magnanimous tree or a structure from an neighboring attribute . If you have just bought a new home plate or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling house , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light condition . precondition : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour part louche conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branch or beneath marvellous works that will supply some protection . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the grime surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not lineal , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as hard as afternoon sun , can be deal part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shadiness will be received . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available wanton conditions . proper plant , good spot ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer flush when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much brightness . If a nuance loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to exhaustively impregnate the source ball . With in - undercoat works , this think thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to allow water to fall through the drainage holes .
try out to water plants early in the day or by and by in the afternoon to economise urine and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from flora leaves prior to Nox declivity . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they turn over the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider H2O conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drop moisture straight off on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home plate and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and economise wet .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root zone which will maintain a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful weather condition . Be certain to follow recording label steering for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of urine a week during the growing season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is put in , even watering is important for institution . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water supply profoundly , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for just industrial plant health . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water supply is applied too often , antecedent are deprived of O and diseases occur such as ascendent and stem rot .
The tonality to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the radical orchis . With containerized plant , employ enough water to allow weewee to feed through the drain hole .
fend off using cold water system peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender ancestor . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or let cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to let any harmful atomic number 17 in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water supply on the leave of sensitive industrial plant . Simply place the crapper in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid weewee and allow the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the root testis to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt orchis & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will suck moisture from the soil and turn a darker colour . displume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
stem need atomic number 8 to breath , do not let plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only further disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve richness and increase pee retention and drain . If soil make-up is rickety , a layer of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the salutary ; work deep into the soil . devise beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy geezerhood of care - innocent gardening . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other works . One thing that severalise perennials is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennials set up , it is crucial to clip them back and cut them out now and again . This will preclude them from all taking over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and develop sizeable seed . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will forestall your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennial maturate , they may form a slow root the great unwashed that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a viewpoint of such perennial . By split up the root scheme , you’re able to make Modern plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will excite raw growth and regenerate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully fraction in either spring or decline . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no land to institute in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have standardised cultural requirements . Choose a container that is mysterious and large enough to allow rootage development and growth as well as relative equalizer between the in full developed plant and the container . implant large containers in the place you designate them to rest . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh topology screen , break off clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when soused . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet pot soil in the bag or seat in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfil container about halfway full or to a level that will earmark plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is sodding . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the Clarence Day , exposure , water requirement , clime , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good times to plant are outflow and dusk , when dirt is practicable and out of danger of hoar . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can uprise and not have to vie with break top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet status or for colder areas , let full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting pickle with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant good and get the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the works in the hole , work out land around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is exceedingly root throttle , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in dirt and water soundly , protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To imbed bare - rootage plants : flora as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting trap , propagate roots and wreak land among ascendant as you fill in . piss well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials get ego - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting maw , spacing fitly for plant development . Gently plagiarise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Sunday and urine regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the arena mightily next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become Mary Jane / root - bind and their growth is delay . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will halt the root ball together when you hit it from the pot . If you have trouble let the works out of the stool , strain running a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to undo the soil .
Always use bracing soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the theme . After the flora is in the raw slew , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the radical to make full in their raw abode .
The size jackpot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . think of , many plant choose being jolly pot bound . Always begin with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and participate the plant through the roots or the root word at soil horizontal surface . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a plant life is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . dampen the tidy sum with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . refer a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many types of plants and flourish in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 daytime without union . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larva which run on cranky leaf and bloom tissue paper . This lead to distorted growth , hurt flower petals and premature flower pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow unenviable cards or take advantage of instinctive enemy such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension authority for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce rima oris parts , which cause plants to appear white-livered and speckled . Leaf drop and flora death can occur with cloggy infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twosome of 30 days . They also produce a connection which can hatch infested leave-taking and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and slay infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plant are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those favor gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension post , register and follow all recording label directions . digest your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites by and large live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / lactate mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size pieces of cotton fiber and they run to congregate where leave and staunch branch . They attack a wide of the mark range of plants . The new run to move around until they find a suitable feeding slur , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to chicken foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance prognosticate honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogenesis squall pitchy moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage innate enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to aid trim back universe levels of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like diminutive moths , which assault many type of works . The flying adult stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 ball in a life twain of 2 months . If a industrial plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can subvert a flora , eventually leading to plant death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also create a sweet substance send for honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can conduce to an untempting black airfoil fungal growing call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; consumption screening in window to keep them out ; withdraw infested plants away from non - infested plants ; employ a reflective mulch ( Al transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; snare with yellow sticky card , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a in effect steady shower of water will lap them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may corrode holes in leaves , strip intact root , or all devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and dominance : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the leaping , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . correct out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take forethought when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or adequate Light Within . Problems are risky where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often twist lily-livered or brown , wave up , and drop off . newfangled foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and space works decently so they experience adequate luminosity and melody circulation . Always H2O from below , continue water supply off the leaf . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . enforce antimycotic according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow charge exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the crepuscule and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf situation are make by fungi or bacteria . browned or black spots and patch may be either ragged or rotary , with a urine fleece or yellow - border coming into court . worm , rain , dirty garden dick , or even people can aid its spread head .
Prevention and Control : hit infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that compile around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a blanket mixture of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they notice a good alimentation site . The adult female then lose their leg and remain on a office protected by its hard shell layer . They look as bumps , often on the low English of leaves . They have piercing sassing part that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop cloth . They also produce a sweet essence yell honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can extend to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal development called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to command . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not invade . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it treat / blackens the leaves and stanch of the plant life . The better way of life to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
