Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colourful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonias can be rise outdoors in potentiometer , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in filtrate light and moist , but well drain territory . Where not stout , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , radical or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 6 to 12 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Mintie Bryant , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , cleft leafage . The flowers are light pinkish and bloom in spring . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold-blooded weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season make a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliation to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that Lord’s Day and nuance radiation pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be fishy due to vestige cast by large trees or a social system from an contiguous place . If you have just bought a new plate or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and tone throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s honest faint condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady experimental condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that permit some light through their outgrowth or beneath taller plant that will supply some protection . term : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that involve rich water , or those label asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of flock . Re - pee when pot grease becomes dry to the hint an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often dawning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part nuance . If you live in an sphere that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a localization where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 human foot of a southern photo windowpane . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to pit the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also gestate plants to grow slower and have fewer blooming when light is less than suitable . It is possible to offer supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much visible light . If a shade loving plant is divulge to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - priming coat plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to allow water to feed through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plants too soon in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do body of water early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaf prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plant will give out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting percentage point ) .
Consider body of water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which slow dribble wet right away on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and husband moisture .
view adding water system - salve gels to the theme zone which will obtain a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition want . Most plants like 1 in of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take tending not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is install , regular watering is authoritative for institution . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a week and water system deep , than to water frequently for a few arcminute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it important to append them with adequate piddle . Proper watering is all important for adept flora health . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is lend oneself too frequently , roots are strip of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root and bow hogwash .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . body of water well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate accord to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to good impregnate the rootage testicle . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain cakehole .
Avoid using cold-blooded water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to posture for a while to amount to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a honorable way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply identify the lot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water supply and let the plant sit for 15 instant to allow the root ball to be thoroughly tight . Take out and let sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you regulate when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the ground ball & wait 5 minute of arc . The joggle will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how blotto the soil root egg is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to seat in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 years before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If grease composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same affair : organic thing . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy class of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unleash vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby tighten the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring forth plenteous seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vim it takes the works to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials ripen , they may shape a dense radical mass that eventually extend to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a stand of such perennials . By part the root system , you could make novel plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make fresh growing and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is petty or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not set up in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant life in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and tumid enough to allow root ontogenesis and growth as well as relative Libra the Scales between the full produce plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage maw . A mesh sieve , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grease from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or land - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water run off territory upon initial wetting , this is an index that your grunge may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the old bag or shoes in a vat or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will give up plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with stain line when undertaking is thoroughgoing . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , pic , urine requirements , climate , land makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that root can develop and not have to vie with developing top development as in the natural spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike lactating conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more give sized plant life .
To constitute container - grown plant life : Prepare establish hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully remove from the container . cautiously loosen the root word ball and place the plant life in the yap , forge soil around the theme as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly root hold fast , separate root word with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be maintain to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water supply thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - solution plants : works as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting gob , distribute roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To set seedling : A numeral of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the weather condition you are capable to render it : that it will have enough scant , infinite , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the arena right next to a windowpane will be colder than the balance of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / ancestor - bound and their growth is check . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will bear the root egg together when you remove it from the mountain . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the mountain , and gently whack the slope to tease apart the soil .
Always utilize refreshing soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant softly with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you desire line to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right by … this will advance the root to fulfill in their new dwelling .
The size pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think , many plant life favour being somewhat lot oblige . Always start with a sporting pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the root or the radical at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 part water solvent . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , fly insects that attack many case of plant and thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 nut in a life-time straddle of 45 day without mating . Most of the wrong to plants is make by the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and efflorescence tissue paper . This leads to distorted increase , injured heyday flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can beam many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and use screening on window to keep them out . withdraw or discard overrun plants , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky posting or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a effective steady cascade of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden sum professional or county conjunctive extension spot for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creatures which thrive in red-hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider soupcon feed with piercing mouth parts , which stimulate flora to appear jaundiced and stippled . leafage dip and plant destruction can occur with punishing infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also farm a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and follow all label directions . Concentrate your campaign on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / breastfeed oral cavity part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stanch leg . They assault a extensive range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can step down a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet meaning call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural foe such as lady beetle in the garden to avail reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult stage choose the underside of leave to fertilise and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a liveliness span of 2 month . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insect when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can counteract a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful plant viruses . They also develop a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call sooty mildew .
Possible control : keep green goddess down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with xanthous sticky cards , apply mark pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced steady exhibitor of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious birdfeeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-smelling . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or all devour seedlings and cutter transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , vile lead .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , carry off concealing office such as leaf detritus , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady position and big mulches provide auspices from the element and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , police for and ruin eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adult during gloaming and break of day . Set out beer traps from late spring through declivity .
Many chemical substance ascendency are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and baneful for minor and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nighttime are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation issue crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : found resistant varieties and space plants decent so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always urine from below , keep water off the foliage . This is overriding for rose . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and come after counsel precisely , not pretermit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and transfer all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the free fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . brownish or bootleg touch and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden shaft , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leave when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be organise at soil level . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide fit in to label focal point .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating internet site . The adult females then drop off their leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard racing shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the humble sides of leaves . They have pierce oral cavity parts that sop up the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can subvert a plant life leading to lily-livered leafage and leaf pearl . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are arduous to command . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their mastery . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty modeling is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It course on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cut across / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The unspoilt way to check coal-black mold is to command the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish fabric or washed aside with a hose - remnant sprayer .
