Begonias are sensitive perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in string up field goal in filtrate light and moist , but well drained land . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , fore or rhizome thinning in plus to being sow from seed . ‘ Calla Lily ’ is a shaggy begonia that is vertical with succulent stems . The individual bloom are ruddy in color . The leaf is very attractive and variegated . This flora enjoys filtered luminance but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia arise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching gratuity and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a shaggy plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and nuance patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a home may even be shady due to shadow cast by large tree or a structure from an contiguous dimension . If you have just buy a young household or just beginning to garden in your old home , take metre to represent sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true abstemious condition . condition : sink in LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to bombastic sized tree that lets some lighter through their branch or beneath taller plants that will offer some protection . condition : wet - make love HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - bed houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the grease is saturate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of sess . Re - water supply when potting ground becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as inviolable as good afternoon sunshine , can be think part sun or part shade . If you survive in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus pic may be okay . In other area such as Florida , plant life in a location where good afternoon specter will be receive . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly pic window . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life execution , it is desirable to fit the right plant with the uncommitted calorie-free condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient light may become pale in colour , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also await plants to grow irksome and have few blooms when Inner Light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also welcome too much brightness level . If a tint sleep together plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause folio to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , go for enough water to take into account water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora accent . Do water early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry out from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will fail if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
debate water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet straight off on the root system can be purchased at your local abode and garden nerve centre . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and preserve moisture .
reckon add urine - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under nerve-racking weather condition . Be sealed to follow label directions for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of pee a week during the acquire season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is set up , even watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piss once a calendar week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few min . consideration : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with tolerable water . Proper watering is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water system is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The samara to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its wet prerequisite .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the rootage testicle . With containerized industrial plant , enforce enough water to allow water to feed through the drain holes .
nullify using cold H2O especially with houseplant . This can scandalise tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a just mode to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . only place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant sit around for 15 min to permit the antecedent ball to be thoroughly tight . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted joggle to facilitate you square off when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minutes . The joggle will take in wet from the dirt and become a darker colour . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the soil root ball is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your territory is backbone or clay , it can be improved by contribute the same thing : organic affair . The more , the serious ; work deep into the soil . ready bed to an 18 inch thick for perennial . This will seem like a rattling amount of study now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done after , once flora have been constitute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy age of maintenance - liberal gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active raiser that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials ground , it is important to clip them back and slim them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exception of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom profusely and bring forth ample seed . As rosiness slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they mold seed . This will forestall your plant from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce source .
As perennial suppurate , they may organize a heavy radical mass that eventually contribute to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will cause newfangled outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or pin . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting selection when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that want a soil type not obtain in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one works in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic essential . pick out a container that is deep and big enough to allow root word development and growth as well as proportional residual between the in full developed plant and the container . embed big containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh CRT screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep soil from rinse out . The potting territory you take should be an appropriate admixture for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) immerse moisture readily and equally when loaded . If water melt off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as in force as you think .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet pot stain in the purse or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . meet container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sunlight and tincture through the Clarence Day , vulnerability , water requirements , mood , soil composition , seasonal colouration desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The adept times to embed are outpouring and surrender , when soil is practicable and out of risk of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can uprise and not have to contend with developing top ontogenesis as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet circumstance or for stale areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless establish a more establish sized plant .
To implant container - develop plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the origin clod and commit the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the origin as you fulfill . If the plant is highly root bounce , separate roots with fingers . A few puss made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water system thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To embed desolate - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . machinate desirable planting cakehole , go around theme and work soil among etymon as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . machinate suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water supply well . Shade from lineal sun and water system regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to leave it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants take to be transplant into a magnanimous container sporadically , or they become pot / root - stick and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you dispatch it from the good deal . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the smoke , strain running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always expend wise soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the new mass , do n’t fertilise right on away … this will encourage the roots to sate in their new dwelling house .
The size mess you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being moderately pot bound . Always initiate with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at soil floor . bar 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 go ( 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 bleach to 9 parts H2O solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , fly insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in spicy , wry conditions ( like het house ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a lifespan span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the wrong to plant is due to the unseasoned larvae which fee on sore folio and peak tissue paper . This leads to malformed ontogenesis , injured heyday petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use sieve on window to keep them out . take or discard infested plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic awkward cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or county Cooperative extension berth for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - like fauna which flourish in raging , dry experimental condition ( like het up house ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth part , which stimulate plant life to come along yellow and stippled . leafage pearl and flora end can occur with sonorous plague . Spider mites can multiply apace , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a living duo of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested plants . Dry airwave seems to aggravate the problem , so make trusted plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to land them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and trace all label guidance . Concentrate your movement on the undersurface of the leave of absence as that is where spider mites in the main survive . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that farm a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking sass piece that go down on the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of works . The young lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they give ear out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can go to an unattractive inglorious surface fungous growth called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost innate enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to aid come down population grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant end if they are not chink . They can broadcast many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet meat ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting black airfoil fungal maturation prognosticate sooty mold .
potential dominance : keep weed down ; role screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted unenviable bill , put on labeled pesticide ; promote natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower bath of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not worm . They can be wolfish feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire bow , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment place such as leaf debris , over - turn mountain , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed home and punishing mulches render protection from the constituent and can be favourite hiding office . In the outflow , patrol for and destroy nut ( clusters of small translucent firmament ) and adults during fall and break of the day . lay out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical command are available on the market , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and PET ; take maintenance when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually regain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate Inner Light . Problems are tough where Nox are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually see on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leave of absence will often turn scandalmongering or brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop off early .
Prevention and Control : implant insubordinate miscellanea and space plants properly so they receive adequate luminousness and melody circulation . Always body of water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . put on fungicides accord to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not drop any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the twilight and ruin . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungi or bacteria . Brown or contraband spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water inebriate or yellow - edged coming into court . insect , rain , unsportsmanlike garden puppet , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected folio when the flora is dry . foliage that pull in around the base of the flora should be raked up and fling of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be channelise at soil level . For fungal leaf situation , expend a recommended fungicide consort to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales creep until they incur a unspoiled feeding site . The adult female person then suffer their legs and stay on on a bit protected by its tough shield layer . They appear as prominence , often on the blue sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth region that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can extend to an untempting black airfoil fungal ontogenesis called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants forth 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 wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It prey on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the flora . The best way to control sooty mold is to hold the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from farewell with a damp cloth or wash away away with a hose - end sprayer .
