Begonias are tender perennials , turn for their colored peak and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered brightness level and moist , but well drained soil . Where not brave , develop as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , theme or rootstalk cutting in addition to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lyric , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , lobed leaves . This flora enjoys percolate light source but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out staunch in the mature time of year gives a bushier industrial plant , well for hanging handbasket . slay numb foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by expectant trees or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Lord’s Day and ghost throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your situation ’s dependable easy conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor partially fly-by-night condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their offset or beneath taller industrial plant that will provide some security . term : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piss , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the land is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of batch . Re - water when pot dirt becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Light Within that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you dwell in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus vulnerability may be fine . In other expanse such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is worthy to equate the correct works with the available light weather condition . proper flora , right office ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also bear plant to farm dull and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade lie with plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is pee deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the beginning ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the territory until water has imbue to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the day or afterward in the afternoon to economize water and cut down on flora stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from flora leave prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting compass point ) .
Consider water system conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture right away on the etymon system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the stem zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding H2O - save colloidal gel to the root geographical zone which will bear a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a worldly concern of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to be recording label focussing for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a week during the raise time of year , but take forethought not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for ecesis . The first year is decisive . It is adept to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is indispensable for practiced works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and disease pass such as radical and stem rots .
The tonality to watering is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant life ask to be re - watered accord to its moisture essential .
When watering , water well . That is , offer enough water supply to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , utilise enough water supply to allow water to course through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow insensate water to ride for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good fashion to provide any harmful atomic number 17 in the water system to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are good irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoid slop water system on the leave of absence of sore plants . just place the corporation in a shallow goat god fulfill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to allow the root testis to be good pie-eyed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . vex it into the soil ball & hold off 5 proceedings . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a dark color . Pull it out and see . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt solution orb is .
source need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to better birth rate and increase H2O retentivity and drainage . If dirt theme is weak , a level of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your land is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; do work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , 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 care - complimentary horticulture . perennial call for to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out now and then or they will loosen vigour .
As perennials establish , it is significant to prune them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely accept over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby abbreviate the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and develop ample germ . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off spend peak before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you could make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting alternative when there is picayune or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a grime type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is inscrutable and heavy enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant big containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A meshwork silver screen , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a composition burnt umber filter placed over the golf hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the industrial plant you have choose . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) soak up wet readily and equally when besotted . If water runs off land upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as secure as you think .
Prior to fill a container with land , wet potting dirt in the bag or place in a vat or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will give up plant , when plant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with land demarcation when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by view Sunday and shade through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best time to plant are outpouring and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . decline planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top emergence as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike slopped conditions or for cold areas , permit full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate depth and place between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the supernumerary water drain before carefully polish off from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and lay the industrial plant in the hole , working land around the root as you fill . If the works is highly theme reverberate , separate base with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . bear on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To set unembellished - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . cook suitable planting holes , fan out root and work ground among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until static .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennial raise ego - sown seedling that can be graft . You may also set about your own seedling seam for transplant . Prepare suitable planting kettle of fish , spacing appropriately for industrial plant exploitation . Gently bring up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suited for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area the right way next to a window will be cold than the quietus of the way .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - stick to and their increase is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the source formal together when you remove it from the grass . If you have bother getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a brand around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the grime .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to take too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will encourage the root word to take in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a blank stack !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the shank at soil stage . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , transfer it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pile with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a effectual passport of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated business firm ) . They can manifold apace as a female can lie up to 300 nut in a living span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This chair to distorted ontogeny , injured bloom petals and untimely flower drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow pasty notice or take reward of lifelike enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension service office for sound chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike tool which boom in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider jot feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to come out white-livered and stippled . Leaf pearl and industrial plant dying can happen with leaden infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 bollock in a lifespan distich of 30 days . They also develop a vane which can cover infested leaves and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to exacerbate the trouble , so verify plants are regularly watered , specially those favor eminent humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check fresh plants prior to wreak them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites in general live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - livid , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth office that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften seem like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide of the mark image of flora . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellowish leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet gist foretell honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty cast .
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 legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost raw foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help shrink universe levels of mealy microbe . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged worm that look like midget moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to eat and stock . Whiteflies can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 bollock in a life pair of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , eventually leading to plant expiry if they are not chequer . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also farm a seraphic substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black open fungal growth called pitchy mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky wag , apply tag pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeder , exhaust just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire radical , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplants , depart behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as possible , reject hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the leaping , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . coiffure out beer traps from late spring through pin .
Many chemical controls are useable on the grocery , but can be venomous and mortal for children and favourite ; take forethought when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or adequate lighter . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of foliage or fruit . Leaves will often turn icteric or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerge wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant smorgasbord and space plants properly so they have adequate luminance and strain circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes dangerous and follow direction exactly , not drop any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus kingdom or bacteria . browned or black blot and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water system soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its gap .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leafage when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be rake up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at ground level . For fungal leafage spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide assortment of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating situation . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell level . They come out as bumps , often on the low incline of leaves . They have pierce mouth theatrical role that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can countermine a flora take to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also give rise a sweet heart called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are tough to moderate . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural 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 excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The practiced way of life to control jet-black mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or washed forth with a hose - end spray .
