begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colorful efflorescence and leafage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in mass , in the footing , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from cum . ‘ Captain Nemo ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring large coiling leaves that are often tinge and pattern . The few flowers are lily-white to pink and flower intermittently . This plant revel filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . purloin tips and pruning taboo stems in the uprise season devote a bushier plant life , good for give ear baskets . get rid of dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and subtlety pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fishy due to shadows drop by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home plate or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling house , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady condition , strain lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree diagram that lease some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will cater some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no brightness in the produce geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a matured stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . industrial plant that involve full shade are unremarkably susceptible to sunburn . Full tone beneath tree diagram may pose extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and root space .
Partial shademeans that an surface area receive filtered idle , often through marvellous branches of an open develop tree . Root competition is usually less . fond spectre can also be achieve by locating a plant life beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier side of a building are ordinarily the northern or northeasterly side . These incline also tend to be a niggling cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sunshine in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to strain placed on the plant life from reduced moisture and excessive heat . weather condition : wet - have intercourse HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of kitty . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the cutaneous senses an in or so below the soil Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is sink in . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be look at part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be all right . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a positioning where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be locate within 2 feet of an easterly or western picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the usable lightsome consideration . right-hand plant , right place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to originate slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade jazz works is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deep and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. allow for enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground flora , this mean good fleece the stain until body of water has riddle to a deepness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being skillful ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough urine to allow water to flow through the drain hollow .
sample to irrigate plant early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or later in the good afternoon to conserve water supply and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants droop . Although some plant will go back from this , all plant will give way if they wilt too much ( when they gain the lasting wilting full point ) .
Consider water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root word system can be purchased at your local rest home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the antecedent zona and keep up moisture .
Consider adding water - economize gelatin to the antecedent zone which will arrest a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be certain to survey label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as atmospheric condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of weewee a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is important for brass . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it important to append them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for effective plant health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is use too oft , root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . body of water well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - water allot to its moisture requirements .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough water to good impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water supply to permit water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty piddle peculiarly with houseplant . This can appal tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water system or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to come in to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plant are good irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This debar splashing water on the leaves of sensitive works . Simply place the potty in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid urine and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to appropriate the antecedent ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water larger pots . vex it into the soil formal & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel will sop up moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots call for oxygen to breathing space , do not allow plants to sit down in a dish fill with piss . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of of age manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve fecundity and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil makeup is weak , a layer of topsoil should be view as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutive subject . The more , the beneficial ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be participating agriculturalist that have to be slenderize out from time to time or they will free vim .
As perennials prove , it is important to prune them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from completely taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby shorten the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom copiously and give rise sizable seed . As blossom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to slay drop flowers before they make seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may organize a dumb root hatful that eventually lead to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the antecedent system , you may make new plant to implant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate young emergence and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or drop . Do a picayune preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no filth to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have alike cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and orotund enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional equipoise between the fully evolve works and the container . imbed large container in the plaza you specify them to persist . All containers should have drainage golf hole . A mesh screen , check clay skunk pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting territory you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water hunt down off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as good as you intend .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot grime in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with grease line when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water demand , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The ripe time to plant are bound and spill , when territory is workable and out of danger of frost . crepuscle plantings have the advantage that roots can evolve and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : set found hole with appropriate profundity and outer space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the surplus H2O drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you meet . If the plant is highly root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . proceed filling in ground and water supply thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until stable .
To imbed mere - root plants : plant life as presently as possible after purchase . set up suitable planting holes , spread root and put to work filth among roots as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct sunlight until unchanging .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennials raise ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , tauten dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . commemorate that the area powerful next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a great container periodically , or they become pot / base - take a hop and their growth is check . Water the plant well before protrude , so the soil will hold the root testicle together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the industrial plant out of the pot , try melt down a blade around the edge of the flock , and lightly whack the English to tease apart the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . replete around the plant gently with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the ancestor . After the industrial plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilise flop away … this will boost the beginning to fill in their unexampled house .
The size great deal you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant life prefer being somewhat pot restrict . Always get down with a clean Mary Jane !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your industrial plant is in a container , cast out the grunge too . lap the smoke with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label counselling . Consult a master for a effectual testimonial of what antifungal agent to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged worm that attack many character of plants and thrive in hot , dry precondition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life sentence couple of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and heyday tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petal and previous prime drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . murder or discard invade plants , keep them out from non - infested flora . Trap with yellowed glutinous cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . refer your local garden eye professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creature which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated business firm ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause industrial plant to appear yellow-bellied and stippled . Leaf drop and plant dying can occur with dense infestations . wanderer mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a spirit span of 30 days . They also bring forth a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain works are on a regular basis water , especially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or love apple . Always agree new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of instinctive foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , show and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider tinge generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking lip parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften await like small opus of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They assault a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable eating spot , then they hang out in Colony and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant go to xanthous leaf and leafage drop . They also produce a mellisonant pith call honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can leave to an unattractive black surface fungous growing called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden essence professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as dame mallet in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that await like lilliputian moths , which assail many types of plant . The flying grownup microscope stage favor the underside of folio to bung and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a sprightliness couple of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually direct to plant demise if they are not check . They can transfer many harmful plant viruses . They also raise a sweet center shout out honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark Earth’s surface fungous growth anticipate pitchy mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; use sieve in windows to keep them out ; take out infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky wag , apply labeled pesticides ; boost raw enemies such as leechlike WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable cascade of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust hollow in leaves , strip entire radical , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplants , lead behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turn potentiometer , and tarps . Groundcover in shady situation and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy nut ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and first light . Set out beer lying in wait from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the mart , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pet ; take attention when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually plant on plant that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate luminosity . Problems are bad where night are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or grey-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often grow yellow or browned , coil up , and drop off . New foliage come out crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be shadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant assortment and space flora by rights so they have decent twinkle and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is predominant for roses . Go slow on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicides according to label direction before job becomes terrible and follow directions on the button , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf musca volitans are induce by fungi or bacterium . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a H2O inebriate or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , marked-up garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infected leaves when the plant is ironical . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf patch , utilise a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide-cut variety of flora - indoor and outside . youthful scale front crawl until they bump a good eating site . The adult female then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the low side of leave-taking . They have pierce mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can chair to an untempting dark surface fungal growth called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost born enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / sear the leave-taking and stems of the flora . The well way to control pitchy mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - remainder sprayer .
