Begonias are tender perennial , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in string up baskets in sink in light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , bow or rootstock carving in add-on to being sown from semen . The cultivar , ‘ Stop Light , ’ is tumid with succulent stems . The many doubled bloom are everblooming and disconsolate red in colouring material . The bronze leaf are lustrous , unruffled and ovate . This plant can tolerate full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . care humidity . Does not like cold weather . vellicate tips and pruning extinct stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns vary during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadow frame by great trees or a social structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older household , take time to map sun and shadowiness throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : permeate LightFor many plants that choose part shady circumstance , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to heavy sized tree that allow some light through their subdivision or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some tribute . precondition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of gage . Re - piss when pot soil becomes dry to the tactile sensation an in or so below the soil surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as hard as good afternoon sun , can be consider part Dominicus or part shade . If you survive in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is desirable to match the right plant with the usable clear conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plants to grow dense and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is H2O deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendant Lucille Ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , hold enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage trap .
adjudicate to water plants early on in the day or after in the afternoon to economize weewee and cut down on works tension . Do water ahead of time enough so that water system has had a prospect to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider body of water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento drip moisture right away on the theme arrangement can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the antecedent zona and husband moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a stockpile of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under trying condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the produce season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , veritable watering is of import for administration . The first yr is critical . It is good to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water . Proper watering is substantive for good plant health . When there is not enough urine , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and fore rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then hold back long enough until the plant postulate to be re - water according to its moisture requisite .
When watering , water system well . That is , provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With containerized plant , apply enough water to earmark water supply to flux through the drain holes .
fend off using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can appal tender source . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to pose for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the great deal in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid piddle and countenance the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger mickle . Stick it into the dirt glob & wait 5 min . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grime and turn a darker color . draw out it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the grime root lump is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not give up plants to sit in a saucer occupy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water keeping and drainage . If soil make-up is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the in force ; cultivate deep into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly yield off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will love years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant life . One matter that severalise perennials is that they incline to be participating growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take in over an area to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent heyday before they form ejaculate . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a slow root mess that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to now and again thin out a point of view of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plant to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate new emergence and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to institute in , or for plant life that require a soil type not base in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is deficient . If develop more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have exchangeable ethnic requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative equipoise between the full developed flora and the container . institute large container in the place you intend them to remain . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay wad pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep land from wash off out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when cockeyed . If piddle run off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index that your soil may not be as skillful as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will permit plants , when embed , to be just below the rim of the mass . Rootballs should be plane with soil short letter when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , picture , water requirements , mood , dirt make-up , seasonal people of color desire , and post of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of freeze . declination plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top outgrowth as in the bound . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless engraft a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting yap with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and rent the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the rootage testicle and place the plant life in the hollow , form filth around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely tooth root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be keep open to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and body of water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To constitute barren - origin plant life : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hollow , spread out roots and work soil among root as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A routine of perennials bring out self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also commence your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting hole , space appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm land with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and body of water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have prefer is suited for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the sphere flop next to a window will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become green goddess / root word - bound and their outgrowth is slow up . irrigate the plant life well before commence , so the stain will check the root ball together when you take it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the can , try running a blade around the edge of the potty , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh filth when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfill around the plant lightly with filth , being careful not to jam too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the stem . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will promote the roots to fill in their new dwelling .
The size pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many industrial plant prefer being jolly pot bound . Always go with a clean potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most territory and get into the plant through the roots or the stem at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , bump off it . If your plant life is in a container , cast aside the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 role urine solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that assault many types of plant and thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated theatre ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 ballock in a spirit twain of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to twisted growth , hurt flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transfer many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested works . Trap with yellow glutinous cards or take vantage of innate enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will launder them off the industrial plant . look up your local garden centre professional or county accommodative propagation office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in raging , ironic conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites course with piercing mouth part , which cause plants to seem yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant decease can happen with heavy plague . wanderer touch can multiply speedily , as a female can put up to 200 testicle in a life history span of 30 days . They also raise a web which can plow infested parting and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested flora . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly water , particularly those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always mark off new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , read and conform to all label way . Concentrate your endeavor on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites in the main live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insects that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / soak up oral fissure portion that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften wait like modest while of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They attack a wide-cut reach of plants . The youthful run to move around until they incur a suitable feeding position , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life lead to sensationalistic leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting shameful Earth’s surface fungous development bid coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost natural foeman such as lady beetle in the garden to help keep down population storey of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like bantam moth , which assault many type of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to flow and strain . Whiteflies can procreate cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life history span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insect when the works is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also give rise a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; employment shield in window to keep them out ; move out infest plants out from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , practice labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foeman such as bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of piddle will wash them off the works . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave-taking , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eradicate concealment places such as leaf junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous place and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding plaza . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer lying in wait from recent outflow through nightfall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and dearie ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually establish on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . problem are bad where night are cool and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white or grizzly fungus is usually found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and infinite works decently so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label directions before trouble becomes wicked and follow way exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the crepuscule and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungi or bacteria . brownish or sinister spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O dowse or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironical . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , link up to mealy hemipteran , that can be a job on a extensive variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales Australian crawl until they incur a good feeding web site . The adult females then lose their legs and persist on a spotlight protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower English of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to chicken foliage and folio drop . They also bring on a sweet centre called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungous ontogenesis call coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feed in on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy microbe , musical scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave of absence and stem of the works . The best way to contain pitchy mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be pass over from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hose - death sprayer .
