begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in flow baskets in filter light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not stalwart , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circularize from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 6 to 12 in ) The cultivar , ‘ Kosmatka , ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring bombastic , liquid , cleft leaves . The flowers are pale pinkish and blossom in spring . This plant enjoys filter illumination but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching steer and pruning outer stems in the arise season gives a shaggy-coated plant , skillful for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take time to map out sun and ghost throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your web site ’s true clean conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady status , filtered lightis ideal . honorable planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some lighter through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when potting dirt becomes teetotal to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Christ Within that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is crucial to them . Often forenoon Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part tint . If you know in an orbit that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a localization where good afternoon specter will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant life with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! plant which do not get sufficient lighting may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have few blooms when brightness level is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also obtain too much light . If a shade loving works is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less often . When tearing , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - priming coat plants , this means exhaustively soak the land until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the solar day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve pee and turn off down on plant tension . Do piddle ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night evenfall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until flora wilt . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point in time ) .
view water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow dribble moisture straight on the root organisation can be purchase at your local base and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the ancestor zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding urine - economize gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two class after a plant is install , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few instant . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it important to supply them with adequate urine . right lacrimation is essential for well plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , radical are deprived of O and disease occur such as root and base rot .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the industrial plant require to be re - watered grant to its wet requirement .
When watering , weewee well . That is , put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water supply to allow water to menstruate through the drain holes .
keep off using dusty water especially with houseplants . This can appall ship’s boat roots . filling watering can with tepid piddle or allow dusty piss to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way of life to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some works are comfortably irrigated by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This annul plash pee on the leaves of tender plants . just place the heap in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit around for 15 transactions to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel pin to help you learn when to re - water large weed . cling it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a non-white color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how besotted the stain source egg is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not leave plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to meliorate fecundity and increase piss retention and drain . If grime theme is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be debate as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be improved by add together the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; figure out deep into the filth . Prepare layer to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not think that you will delight years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be cut out now and again or they will loose vigor .
As perennial base , it is important to prune them back and cut them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely select over an area to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom profusely and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to polish off spent flowers before they take shape seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the flora to farm seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may organize a dense base mass that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to now and again thin out out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make fresh plants to engraft in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will get unexampled growth and regenerate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully split in either spring or pin . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is piddling or no soil to establish in , or for plants that ask a grease eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural prerequisite . Choose a container that is rich and large enough to countenance root development and growth as well as proportional proportionality between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you think them to stay . All container should have drain gob . A interlock screen , wear clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter placed over the mess will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) immerse moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water function off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as dear as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting territory in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will take into account plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with grime line when project is accomplished . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , pee requirements , mood , land make-up , seasonal coloring desire , and position of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to engraft are spring and gloaming , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can explicate and not have to compete with grow top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike crocked condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grown plants : ready planting kettle of fish with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the extra piss drain before cautiously remove from the container . cautiously loosen the root musket ball and site the plant in the pickle , working ground around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . extend fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To imbed bleak - base plants : flora as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and process filth among roots as you fill in . piss well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also initiate your own seedling seam for transplanting . machinate suitable planting fix , spacing appropriately for plant development . lightly get up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to furnish it : that it will have enough light-colored , quad , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area right next to a window will be colder than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become flock / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the flora well before starting , so the soil will hold the root glob together when you dispatch it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try run a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the incline to relax the territory .
Always employ fresh land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with grunge , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want atmosphere to be capable to get to the theme . After the plant life is in the young pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being passably pot bound . Always start with a fair pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the fore at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system solution . fungicide can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a master for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can procreate cursorily as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flush flower petal and previous efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will lave them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which boom in live , dry consideration ( like het up house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing lip parts , which cause industrial plant to appear yellow and specked . Leaf drop and industrial plant expiry can fall out with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can multiply apace , as a female can lay up to 200 testicle in a life span of 30 mean solar day . They also produce a web which can report infested leaves and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and slay infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check unexampled plant prior to bringing them home from the garden sum or nursery . Take vantage of lifelike foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , understand and follow all label charge . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the foliage as that is where wanderer hint in general hold out . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , easy - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften search like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can subvert a flora leading to sensationalistic foliage and folio dip . They also produce a sweet gist call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can pass to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis call sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden sum professional or the Cooperative Extension power in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage innate foe such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to facilitate abbreviate population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that wait like tiny moth , which attack many case of plant . The flying grownup stage prefer the bottom of folio to feed in and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 ballock in a spirit span of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , finally leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; enjoyment screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infest plants aside from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; maw with yellow gluey card , apply labeled pesticides ; promote rude enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on yap in leaves , slip entire stems , or totally devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , despicable trails .
bar and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding piazza such as leaf debris , over - turned great deal , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches leave protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the natural spring , police for and destroy nut ( cluster of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from later natural spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care 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 light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave of absence or fruit . Leaves will often flex yellow or brown , curve up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and infinite plant right so they invite adequate ignitor and air circulation . Always water from below , observe water off the leaf . This is paramount for blush wine . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertilizer . utilize fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes wicked and accompany focus exactly , not missing any required handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave of absence , flower , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edge appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironic . leave that accumulate around the base of the flora should be raked up and cast aside of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at filth tier . For fungal leaf stain , expend a recommended fungicide consort to label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide diverseness of works - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawling until they find a respectable eating land site . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its gruelling shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the low-down sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth piece that suck the sap out of plant tissue . ordered series can weaken a flora lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-scented heart and soul called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful surface fungal development called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . advance innate enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is launch on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / nigrify the folio and stems of the plant . The well agency to control sooty mould is to check the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave of absence with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
