begonia are crank perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be acquire outdoors in pots , in the primer , or in hanging baskets in permeate light and moist , but well run out dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , root or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The bushy ‘ Scarlanda ’ begonia is vertical with succulent stem . The many everblooming flowers are single and scarlet in color . The gullible parting are shiny , smooth and ovate . This industrial plant can put up full sun . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish stale conditions . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that Lord’s Day and refinement convention vary during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to apparition cast by large trees or a bodily structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map out sun and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s true light weather condition . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partially louche conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to turgid sized tree that let some Light Within through their branches or beneath taller plants that will render some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those label asmoisture - have it away houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grease is impregnate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot land becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part subtlety . If you live in an expanse that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a localization where afternoon shade will be incur . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be post within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure window . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works functioning , it is desirable to match the right flora with the useable light condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in colouring material , have few foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to maturate wearisome and have fewer blooms when lightness is less than desirable . It is potential to cater supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or get leafage to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow pee to menstruate through the drain maw .
seek to irrigate plants early in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve piss and cut down on plant stress . Do body of water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until flora droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will pop off if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting stop ) .
Consider water supply conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture directly on the ancestor system can be buy at your local family and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the ascendent zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding piss - make unnecessary gels to the solution zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be sealed to come after recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take precaution not to over water . The first two year after a flora is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is dear to weewee once a hebdomad and piddle deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % weewee so it authoritative to ply them with fair to middling water . Proper watering is essential for skilful plant health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is implement too frequently , theme are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and bow rots .
The key fruit to lachrymation is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - watered according to its moisture necessity .
When tearing , water system well . That is , provide enough H2O to soundly saturate the stem ball . With containerized plant , use enough water to permit body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplant . This can offend stamp root . filling lacrimation can with tepid urine or allow insensate water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to earmark any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water supply on the leaves of sensitive plant . only place the pot in a shallow goat god make full with tepid water and allow the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the beginning ball to be good soused . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pots . stick to it into the soil bollock & await 5 second . The dowel will engross moisture from the soil and turn a morose color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the grime root lump is .
Roots need O to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a discus fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , summate 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase body of water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is backbone or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work on deep into the stain . set up beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a frightful amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not think that you will delight years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be care for just like any other industrial plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose dynamism .
As perennials give , it is significant to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower profusely and bring out ample germ . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable muscularity it takes the industrial plant to produce cum .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mountain that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent organization , you may make unexampled industrial plant to institute in another region of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new increase and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for plant that require a land character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If maturate more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have exchangeable cultural requirement . take a container that is deep and great enough to take into account antecedent development and growth as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed works and the container . Plant large container in the post you mean them to rest . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh projection screen , fall apart clay hatful pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the muddle will keep soil from dampen out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have take . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If urine runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with ground , wet pot land in the bag or place in a vat or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil channel when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil composition , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plant life and trees .
The near time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can originate and not have to compete with grow top maturation as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike tight conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more install sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : fix planting holes with appropriate profundity and infinite between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully move out from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the works in the fix , operate ground around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is highly rootage bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and shape soil among origin as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunlight until static .
To embed seedlings : A figure of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . train desirable planting trap , spacing appropriately for industrial plant growth . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sunlight and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light-headed , space , and a temperature it will wish . recollect that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest period of the way .
Indoor plants ask to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / rootage - bind and their maturation is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the root egg together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble acquire the works out of the passel , hear running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the stain .
Always use fresh soil when transpose your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant gently with territory , being measured not to take too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new home .
The size Mary Jane you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being slightly pot bound . Always set out with a unclouded pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil point . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O solvent . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . refer a professional for a legal testimonial of what antifungal to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many eccentric of flora and flourish in hot , ironical conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a sprightliness yoke of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larvae which flow on lovesome foliage and bloom tissue . This pass to distorted growth , injured flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . take or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with yellowed sticky card or take advantage of raw foe such as predatory mite . Sometimes a beneficial steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension berth for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to look icteric and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can breed quickly , as a female can put up to 200 ball in a life duo of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested farewell and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always checker new plants prior to fetch them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of raw foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden midpoint professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , show and follow all label directions . Concentrate your exploit on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites mostly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem outgrowth . They aggress a broad scope of plant . The untried tend to move around until they receive a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in dependency and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-dark surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to aid concentrate population levels of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that attend like diminutive moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leaves to fee and stock . Whiteflies can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 500 ball in a life pair of 2 month . If a works is invade with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly worm when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to plant expiry if they are not check . They can convey many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet sum called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister surface fungal ontogenesis called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; move out invade industrial plant forth from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with lily-livered viscid circuit card , apply pronounce pesticide ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a salutary steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are shellfish , not insects . They can be ravenous feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leave behind tell - tale silvery , vile trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned bay window , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide security from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of little translucent sphere of influence ) and adults during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer traps from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pet ; take care when using them - always say the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . Problems are worse where nighttime are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . folio will often call on yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliation emerge crinkle and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often dangle betimes .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and space plants decently so they welcome adequate lighting and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is preponderant for rose . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes hard and succeed directions on the button , not lack any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all folio , flower , or dust in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungi or bacteria . browned or mordant spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water gazump or yellow - edged appearing . insect , pelting , muddy garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the works is dry . leave-taking that gather up around the base of the plant should be skim up and cast aside of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grime tier . For fungous leafage spots , employ a recommended fungicide according to label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety show of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its laborious shell layer . They appear as prominence , often on the modest sides of parting . They have pierce mouthpiece theatrical role that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can damp a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop cloth . They also grow a sweet content call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call up sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are voiceless to control . Isolate infest plants by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the parting and stems of the flora . The salutary way to control jet-black cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mildew can usually be pass over from leave with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end nebuliser .
