Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in great deal , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not fearless , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in increase to being sown from seed . The ‘ Pink Haze ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized non - voluted farewell that are often colour and model . This works enjoys filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . brave . Does not wish frigid conditions . Pinching crest and pruning outer staunch in the growing time of year give a shaggy-haired plant , good for hang baskets . off dead foliation to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shadowiness patterns change during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to darkness cast by enceinte trees or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new domicile or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shadiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly suspicious condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that get some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting soil becomes dry to the cutaneous senses an column inch or so below the grease surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer visible radiation that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you endure in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon spectre will be received . Conditions : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert works performance , it is desirable to equalize the correct plant with the available easy condition . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not take in sufficient light source may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plants to mature slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also obtain too much light . If a nicety jazz works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water system deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good impregnate the etymon ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly imbue the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to grant water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early on in the day or later on in the good afternoon to husband water and hack down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leafage prior to dark dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to H2O until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they give the permanent wilting pointedness ) .
Consider urine conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento dribble wet at once on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool down the tooth root geographical zone and maintain moisture .
study adding water - saving gel to the root zone which will make a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their purpose .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition ask . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is install , regular tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to pee once a calendar week and water supply profoundly , than to water ofttimes for a few instant . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with adequate water . Proper tearing is essential for good works wellness . When there is not enough urine , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , stem are deprived of oxygen and diseases pass off such as root and base rot .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the industrial plant need to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , body of water well . That is , provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the root chunk . With containerized plant , apply enough water system to allow water to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can shock stamp roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to ride for a while to derive to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a near way to allow any harmful chlorine in the piss to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply point the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid weewee and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to appropriate the base testis to be thoroughly smashed . Take out and countenance sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how stiff the soil root bollock is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is faint , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic thing . The more , the good ; work deep into the land . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly devote off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish age of maintenance - barren gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be participating growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial base , it is of import to prune them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As efflorescence disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they mold seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring forth germ .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennial . By part the root system , you’re able to make new plant to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either leaping or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to admit source evolution and growing as well as proportional balance between the amply developed works and the container . Plant large container in the space you intend them to remain . All containers should have drain holes . A meshwork screen , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from moisten out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If water guide off grease upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about halfway full or to a floor that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the mess . Rootballs should be level with grime line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and wraith through the solar day , exposure , H2O requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that ascendent can develop and not have to compete with uprise top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for stale areas , allowing full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more established sized plant .
To plant container - arise plants : make establish holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and let the excess H2O drain before cautiously hit from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and identify the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be hold on to a minimum . Continue fulfil in dirt and body of water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant simple - root plants : works as before long as possible after purchase . develop suitable planting holes , spread root and function soil among beginning as you fill up in . water system well and protect from verbatim Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suitable planting holes , space fitly for plant development . Gently cabbage the seedling and as much wall soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and pee well . Shade from unmediated Sunday and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the region justly next to a windowpane will be cold than the quietus of the room .
Indoor industrial plant need to be transpose into a turgid container sporadically , or they become pot / origin - bound and their ontogeny is check . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will nurse the root ball together when you withdraw it from the pot . If you have bother catch the plant out of the pot , seek ply a blade around the border of the pot , and gently wallop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh ground when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want line to be capable to get to the ascendent . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size of it gage you select is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch smashing in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being middling sess bound . Always come out with a clean quite a little !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the works through the base or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 share water resolution . antifungal can be used , according to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironical circumstance ( like het house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larva which fertilize on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leave to distorted growth , injured bloom petals and premature flower drop-off . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow steamy posting or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of weewee will wash them off the works . look up your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension part for effectual chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sassing share , which cause plants to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and flora decease can occur with heavy infestations . Spider tinge can manifold quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life sentence span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can overcompensate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic gentle wind seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis water , especially those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always jibe new plants prior to bring them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , translate and follow all label direction . Concentrate your effort on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider speck generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , cushy - bodied insects that bring about a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking rima oris parts that imbibe the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide reach of plants . The immature tend to move around until they witness a suitable eating spot , then they pay heed out in Colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant life leading to yellowish foliage and folio drop . They also bring forth a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemies such as madam beetle in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy glitch . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leave of absence to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insect when the plant is disturb . whitefly can soften a plant , eventually direct to establish death if they are not fit . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also make a mellisonant substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called jet clay sculpture .
potential controls : keep smoke down ; economic consumption screen in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; yap with xanthous sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , comic strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean-living as possible , eliminating concealment places such as foliage rubble , over - turned corporation , and tarps . Groundcover in fishy places and heavy mulch supply protection from the elements and can be pet concealing places . In the bound , patrol for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small translucent heavens ) and adults during fall and sunrise . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the securities industry , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take fear when using them - always learn the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lightness . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn sensationalistic or brown , curl up up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often strike down early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plants right so they get enough brightness and tune circulation . Always water from below , keep H2O off the foliage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for fungicide according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and come after directions exactly , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flush , or debris in the tumble and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf topographic point are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - border appearance . Insects , rain , marked-up garden tools , or even people can help its banquet .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the alkali of the plant should be scan up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if potential ; H2O should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio spot , use a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a across-the-board miscellany of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untried scales front crawl until they find a dear eating website . The grownup female person then fall back their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They look as bump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth constituent that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring on a sweet nub call in honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are strong to hold . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is happen on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave of absence and halt of the plant . The well way of life to hold in sooty mold is to see to it the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from farewell with a damp cloth or washed off with a hosiery - ending atomiser .
