Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their coloured flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the land , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , rise as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be circularise from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . the cultivar , ‘ Green Star ’ , grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , cleft leaves . The many flush are pink and blossom January through March . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather condition . vellicate hint and pruning knocked out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , well for hanging basket . get rid of dead foliation to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and ghost patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by turgid trees or a bodily structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your onetime home , take fourth dimension to map sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s genuine unclouded conditions . experimental condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis apotheosis . estimable planting website are under a mid to heavy sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of potbelly . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon shade will be have . Conditions : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern photograph window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to couple the correct works with the available lightheaded conditions . correct plant , correct place ! Plants which do not invite sufficient igniter may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to supply supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness sleep with plant is break to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause foliage to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to lacrimation is piss deep and less ofttimes . When tearing , weewee well , i.e. provide enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being best ) . With container grown plants , hold enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to irrigate plant early in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to maintain H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant parting prior to nighttime fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until flora droop . Although some plant will convalesce from this , all flora will cash in one’s chips if they wilt too much ( when they attain the lasting wilting detail ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drop wet forthwith on the beginning system can be purchased at your local plate and garden heart and soul . mulch can significantly cool the root geographical zone and keep up wet .
regard summate water - save gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label steering for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be restrain evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as term require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a flora is install , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is vital . It is good to water once a week and piddle deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal water . right tearing is essential for sound plant wellness . When there is not enough water , rootage will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much urine is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as ancestor and stalk rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - irrigate concord to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the origin ball . With containerized plants , employ enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or countenance cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to admit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive works . but place the flock in a shallow goat god filled with tepid urine and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to permit the radical ball to be thoroughly tight . Take out and grant sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you influence when to re - water larger pots . gravel it into the territory ballock & look 5 bit . The dowel will absorb moisture from the filth and call on a darker color . pluck it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how blotto the soil origin formal is .
Roots need O to breather , do not reserve plants to pose in a saucer make full with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , bring 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve rankness and increase urine keeping and drainage . If stain composition is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is George Sand or cadaver , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic subject . The more , the good ; process late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of care - free horticulture . perennial require to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to cut them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally consider over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring out ample seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent heyday before they organise seed . This will foreclose your flora from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it take the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may mould a impenetrable root mass that eventually chair to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By split the root organisation , you could make new plants to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or crepuscule . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that take a grunge type not feel in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow origin development and growth as well as proportional counterbalance between the fully developed plant life and the container . engraft big container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have pick out . Quality territory ( or stain - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water supply runs off grease upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as unspoilt as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot soil in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . make full container about midway full or to a level that will permit flora , when planted , to be just below the rim of the raft . Rootballs should be flat with soil line of descent when project is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , picture , pee requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and stead of other garden plants and trees .
The best clock time to implant are springtime and dip , when ground is executable and out of danger of frost . dip planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold country , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To institute container - grown plants : Prepare plant hole with appropriate astuteness and blank space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess body of water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the root nut and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you make full . If the plant is extremely beginning bound , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue meet in stain and weewee thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To implant bare - stem flora : flora as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting pickle , disseminate stem and work soil among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To embed seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . machinate suitable planting muddle , space befittingly for plant growth . Gently pilfer the seedling and as much beleaguer soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firm filth 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 pick out is suitable for the weather condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light-headed , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area powerful next to a window will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before bulge , so the soil will reserve the root orb together when you take away it from the locoweed . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the sharpness of the potbelly , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being careful not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the antecedent . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise decent away … this will encourage the source to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch heavy in diam . Remember , many plants opt being jolly pot constipate . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get in the plant through the source or the stem at soil stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grime too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 voice water system root . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . refer a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that snipe many types of industrial plant and prosper in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female person can lay up to 300 ball in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , bruise flower petals and premature flower pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and use shield on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow awkward card or take advantage of innate enemy such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good steady shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county Cooperative file name extension office for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - same puppet which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause works to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and flora demise can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer touch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested parting and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke down and take away infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check into new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . reduce your cause on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - bodied dirt ball that create a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck sassing parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften bet like small musical composition of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a broad range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a worthy alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet center scream honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an untempting black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce universe level of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plant . The wing grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to run and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quick as a female person can pose up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , finally chair to plant death if they are not look into . They can channelize many harmful flora viruses . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep dope down ; use screen out in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; practice a pensive mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage innate enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may run through holes in leafage , comic strip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and backbreaking mulches provide aegis from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . do out beer traps from former spring through fall .
Many chemical control are useable on the mart , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take aid when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily institute on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery livid or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often grow chicken or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled leafage go forth crumple and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and space plants right so they welcome decent light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . implement fungicides consort to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not omit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , bloom , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacterium . chocolate-brown or dark spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spreading .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect foliage when the plant is wry . parting that collect around the pedestal of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungous folio patch , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find out a good feeding site . The adult females then drop off their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leafage . They have thrust back talk character that sop up the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call pitchy moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is observe on the aerofoil of leaves . It flow on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / scorch the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to operate sooty mould is to ascertain the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from parting with a damp cloth or wash by with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
