Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in Mary Jane , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in percolate light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not unfearing , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be diffuse from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in summation to being inseminate from ejaculate . The cultivar , ‘ Geometry ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , have diminished , crevice leaves . The flowers are pink . This flora enjoys filtered lighting but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . brave . Does not wish cold weather condition . pinch tips and pruning tabu stanch in the grow time of year gives a bushier plant , sound for fall baskets . Remove dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and refinement rule change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a young home or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true wakeful stipulation . atmospheric condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some brightness level through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - bed HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is strain . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be consider part sunshine or part tad . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day picture may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon shade will be experience . condition : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to play off the correct plant with the available light conditions . right-hand plant , right space ! plant which do not receive sufficient ignitor may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also require plants to mature obtuse and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also invite too much lighting . If a shade make love plant is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - dry land plant , this signify soundly fleece the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough urine to allow piss to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plant life early in the day or later in the good afternoon to preserve H2O and rationalize down on flora stress . Do urine ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to night pin . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to piss until plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will conk out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting stage ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organization can be buy at your local menage and garden center . mulch can significantly cool off the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider tote up water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold in a reserve of urine for the plant . These can make a world of departure specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to fall out label directions for their use of goods and services .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as experimental condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of weewee a workweek during the growing season , but take fear not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is instal , regular lacrimation is authoritative for organisation . The first class is critical . It is skillful to piddle once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water system frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it crucial to provide them with adequate piddle . Proper tearing is essential for skillful plant life health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will shrivel up and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , roots are deprived of O and disease happen such as theme and stem rot .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender ancestor . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant life are well irrigate by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the can in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root clump to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger sight . Stick it into the grunge ball & await 5 minutes . The joggle will engross wet from the soil and turn a dark color . displume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how smashed the soil root formal is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow works to sit down in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of ripened manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to amend fertility and increase weewee retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the grunge . educate bed to an 18 inch mystifying 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 afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor yr of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennial establish , it is important to cut back them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the excommunication of other plant , and also will increase melody circulation thereby slim the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom abundantly and create plentiful cum . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant life to develop seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By dividing the radical system , you could make newfangled plants to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully dissever in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for flora that call for a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural demand . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to earmark root development and growth as well as relative equalizer between the full explicate plant and the container . Plant prominent containers in the spot you think them to ride out . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh blind , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the cakehole will keep grime from wash out . The potting ground you pick out should be an appropriate admixture for the industrial plant you have prefer . Quality grease ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If body of water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your dirt may not be as in force as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet potting soil in the bag or space in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . make full container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the batch . Rootballs should be plane with soil melodic line when project is consummate . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and specter through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , picture , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The unspoilt times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . descent planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for stale areas , tolerate full administration before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - turn plant life : Prepare imbed holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the flora soundly and lease the excess water drainage before carefully slay from the container . Carefully loosen the root bollock and place the plant in the hole , working stain around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be celebrate to a minimum . Continue satisfy in grunge and weewee soundly , protect from unmediated Dominicus until stable .
To plant bare - solution plant : flora as shortly as possible after purchase . machinate suitable planting holes , spread tooth root and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials make ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also come out your own seedling bed for transplanting . train suitable planting holes , space appropriately for works development . Gently repeal the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and pee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant life you have take is suitable for the status you are able-bodied to leave it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the grime will hold the root ball together when you hit it from the crapper . If you have trouble get the industrial plant out of the pot , try escape a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grime .
Always use impudent filth when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise decent away … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch peachy in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat spate bind . Always start with a clean gage !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is observe in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen tearing . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water supply result . antimycotic can be used , harmonise to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testicle in a lifetime yoke of 45 days without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to industrial plant is induce by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to malformed growing , bruise efflorescence petals and premature peak drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . absent or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animate being which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites run with piercing sass portion , which cause plant life to come out yellow and dotted . Leaf drop and works decease can occur with wakeless infestations . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a living span of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can insure infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plant are regularly watered , specially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always turn back new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden essence or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension position , say and follow all label centering . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , delicate - bodied insects that bring out a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suckle mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like small piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem limb . They attack a across-the-board compass of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding pip , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can break a plant contribute to yellow-bellied foliation and folio drop . They also produce a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous increase called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage rude enemies such as peeress mallet in the garden to help melt off population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that count like tiny moths , which attack many case of industrial plant . The fly adult stagecoach prefers the undersurface of leaves to flow and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can subvert a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Possible command : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a brooding mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky circuit card , utilize labeled pesticides ; promote natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a right stiff cascade of weewee will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may rust holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplants , go out behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate concealment places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady billet and ponderous mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy nut ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . plant out beer trap from former spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and favorite ; take caution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate igniter . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leafage will often turn xanthous or brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage come forth crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often put down too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate smorgasbord and blank plants right so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides concord to label directions before job becomes austere and travel along direction exactly , not neglect any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and ruin . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or smuggled spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged show . worm , pelting , dirty garden prick , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the Qaeda of the works should be raked up and toss of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at filth level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , colligate to mealy hemipteran , that can be a trouble on a wide smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outside . Young surmount crawling until they discover a good alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a blot protect by its hard shell bed . They look as bumps , often on the depressed sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that blow the sap out of plant tissue . scurf can break a works leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed meaning called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an untempting ignominious open fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are severe to control . Isolate overrun plant out from those that are not overrun . confab your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive foe such as leechlike WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to master coal-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
