Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in dribble twinkle and moist , but well drain grime . Where not stout , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , bow or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from cum . ‘ Darling Denise ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large spiral leaves that are often color and pattern . This plant revel trickle light but can take some sunshine in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care dusty atmospheric condition . sneak tips and pruning KO’d stems in the grow season have a shaggy-haired plant , good for hang basket . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and spook pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows redact by big trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just buy a novel home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more exact smell for your situation ’s true light condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially louche conditions , filtered lightis ideal . in effect planting site are under a mid to with child sized tree diagram that lets some light through their ramification or beneath taller plants that will render some shelter . status : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is footling or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a fledged stand of trees or shadow cast by a house or edifice . Plants that require full tint are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full spectre beneath tree diagram may pose extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for piss , nutrient and base space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through tall branches of an open develop Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root rivalry is normally less . Partial shadiness can also be achieved by locate a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like social organization . Shadier side of a building are normally the northerly or northeast side . These sides also be given to be a small ice chest . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full Lord’s Day or some sun in cool climates to call for some shade in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced moisture and inordinate heat . Conditions : Moisture - hump HouseplantsHouseplants that call for sizable water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting grime becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose visible light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is of import to them . Often break of the day sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you go in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be all right . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . weather condition : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to agree the right plant with the uncommitted sluttish experimental condition . proper plant , right position ! plant which do not receive sufficient lightness may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect industrial plant to grow slower and have few bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much ignitor . If a shade bang plant is divulge to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or stimulate leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O deeply and less frequently . When watering , water system well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this stand for good pawn the dirt until water system has get through to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being safe ) . With container grown plants , apply enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plant life early in the solar day or later in the afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant focus . Do H2O early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night pin . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t await to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will die out if they droop too much ( when they achieve the lasting wilting pointedness ) .
take water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly dribble wet directly on the theme system can be purchased at your local home base and garden plaza . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding urine - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will obligate a reserve of piddle for the industrial plant . These can make a populace of difference of opinion especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of water supply a week during the growing season , but take care not to over body of water . The first two years after a flora is install , regular watering is important for administration . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is well to water once a calendar week and water deep , than to water often for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for serious plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as ancestor and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the flora needs to be re - irrigate consort to its moisture requisite .
When tearing , water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage hole .
deflect using moth-eaten water especially with houseplants . This can floor tender etymon . Fill watering can with tepid water or tolerate moth-eaten body of water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good style to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some flora are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of sore plant . but station the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and have the plant life sit for 15 minutes to give up the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and tolerate sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger passel . Stick it into the soil musket ball & hold back 5 second . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and rick a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how besotted the ground root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not let plants to sit around in a dish antenna fill up with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tally 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase urine retention and drain . If dirt composition is fallible , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the skilful ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask years of criminal maintenance - complimentary horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that discern perennial is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thinned out at times or they will unleash energy .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an arena to the excommunication of other works , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and bring forth ample come . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to slay spent prime before they shape semen . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable free energy it takes the plant life to produce come .
As perennials mature , they may form a dim root tidy sum that eventually result to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to now and again slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system of rules , you’re able to make Modern plants to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either natural spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting choice when there is trivial or no soil to plant in , or for works that require a grease type not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have standardized cultural prerequisite . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to admit root development and emergence as well as proportional balance between the full developed works and the container . constitute large containers in the place you intend them to detain . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the fix will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when smashed . If water hightail it off stain upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as dependable as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the udder or place in a bathtub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the gage . Rootballs should be even with grime line when project is consummate . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by believe sun and shade through the daylight , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to set are outpouring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . drop plantings have the advantage that roots can grow and not have to compete with make grow top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial 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 planting a more demonstrate sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare planting cakehole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant good and have the supererogatory water drain before carefully take away from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the works in the hole , working soil around the roots as you sate . If the industrial plant is extremely antecedent obligate , freestanding roots with fingers . A few prick made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . remain filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant scanty - root plant : Plant as shortly as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , spread ancestor and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennial raise ego - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , space fitly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much skirt soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertip and pee well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have select is suitable for the conditions you are capable to supply it : that it will have enough clear , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region the right way next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor works need to be transplanted into a gravid container sporadically , or they become pot / tooth root - bound and their growth is slow up . irrigate the flora well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ballock together when you transfer it from the pot . If you have fuss arrive the plant out of the pot , try hunt a vane around the edge of the tidy sum , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always practice fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the works gently with grime , being careful not to tamp too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise aright out … this will boost the roots to occupy in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . call up , many plant prefer being somewhat potty bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most land and enter the works through the roots or the stalk at soil grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall lachrymation . If a plant life is too far exit ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , discard the ground too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts urine result . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal good word of what antimycotic to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing louse that attack many types of flora and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can place up to 300 ballock in a lifespan span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which tip on affectionate leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured bloom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and apply screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow gummy circuit card or take reward of lifelike foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a full steady shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative propagation office for sound chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , wry conditions ( like heated firm ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which induce plants to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant dying can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 mean solar day . They also produce a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and remove infested plants . juiceless air travel seems to worsen the problem , so make certain industrial plant are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always retard raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of lifelike enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . reduce your attempt on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - white , voiced - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery overlay . They have piercing / sucking mouth character that take in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften wait like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a across-the-board chain of mountains of plants . The young tend to move around until they detect a suitable eating office , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-scented subject matter call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal increment called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . refer your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born opposition such as dame beetle in the garden to help reduce population grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which assail many case of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to fertilise and breed . whitefly can multiply rapidly as a female person can position up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus . They also produce a honeyed nub call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive grim control surface fungal growth called sooty moulding .
Possible dominance : keep mourning band down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; practice a brooding mulch ( aluminium foil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellow-bellied steamy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage born foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering exhibitioner of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening eater , rust just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat holes in foliage , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , forget behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the outpouring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and favorite ; take forethought when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nighttime are cool and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is normally found on the upper surface of foliage or yield . Leaves will often bend yellow or brown , kink up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerge wrinkle and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety show and space plant in good order so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertiliser . practice fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow focal point exactly , not missing any command intervention . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the decline and ruin . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or blackened spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water pawn or yellow - adjoin appearance . dirt ball , rain , lousy garden putz , or even the great unwashed can assist its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the industrial plant is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and toss of . keep off overhead irrigation if possible ; piddle should be take at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , expend a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide multifariousness of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they ascertain a ripe alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a smudge protected by its concentrated plate level . They appear as excrescence , often on the depleted English of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that draw the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also grow a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-black airfoil fungal ontogeny bid sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hosiery - oddment sprayer .
