Begonias are sensitive perennials , grown for their colored heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circularize from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The bushy ‘ Scandinavia Pink ’ begonia is upright with succulent stems . The many everblooming prime are single and pinkish in people of color . The green leaves are shiny , smooth and ovate . This flora can tolerate full sunlight . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias mature very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidness . Does not wish cold atmospheric condition . nobble tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns switch during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social system from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just commence to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take clock time to map Sunday and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : percolate LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady precondition , permeate lightis ideal . respectable planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that lets some sparkle through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some auspices . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful urine , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grunge is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of commode . Re - weewee when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filter . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shadowiness . If you live in an field that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , flora in a placement where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foundation of an easterly or western photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant operation , it is desirable to match the right flora with the useable light conditions . Right industrial plant , right topographic point ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when visible radiation is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade bed plant is scupper to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When tearing , piddle well , i.e. provide enough H2O to soundly saturate the solution orchis . With in - priming coat industrial plant , this means soundly soaking the grunge until water has imbue to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to allow urine to flow through the drain holes .
essay to water works early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry out from plant leave prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to body of water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will cash in one’s chips if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting peak ) .
conceive piddle preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
turn over bestow piss - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a universe of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to conform to recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be hold open evenly moist and watered regularly , as experimental condition require . Most plants like 1 in of H2O a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take caution not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , steady tearing is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is honest to water once a week and weewee deeply , than to water often for a few proceedings . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it crucial to ply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is essential for good flora health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is applied too frequently , root are strip of oxygen and disease go on such as root and theme bunk .
The headstone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the root chunk . With containerized plant life , apply enough water to let water to course through the drain pickle .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can ball over ship’s boat stem . filling watering can with tepid water or allow dusty water to seat for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a beneficial way to let any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water system on the farewell of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you make up one’s mind when to re - water bigger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & hold back 5 second . The dowel will plunge wet from the dirt and grow a black coloring material . force it out and probe . This will give you an idea of how pissed the soil radical ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not permit plant to ride in a disc filled with pee . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , supply 2 to 4 in of older manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve birth rate and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil composition is rickety , a layer of topsoil should be deal as well . No matter if your dirt is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by total the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work on deeply into the soil . cook bed to an 18 in cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done subsequently , once plant have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not stand for that you will savor years of maintenance - spare gardening . Perennials take to be wish for just like any other industrial plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennials give , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from completely taking over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and bring out ample seminal fluid . As bloom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent heyday before they form seeded player . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable get-up-and-go it take the flora to produce semen .
As perennial senesce , they may form a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a viewpoint of such perennials . By dividing the source system , you’re able to make novel plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will perk up new growing and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either fountain or descent . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting option when there is little or no soil to establish in , or for plants that require a filth eccentric not retrieve in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and magnanimous enough to allow root growth and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . found large container in the spot you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh filmdom , break away clay potful pieces(crock ) or a composition chocolate filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If pee tend off dirt upon initial leak , this is an index that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to replete a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or office in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , weewee necessity , climate , soil make-up , seasonal coloring want , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to set are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of peril of frost . declivity plantings have the advantage that radical can develop and not have to compete with develop top increase as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike soused conditions or for cold areas , give up full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To implant container - grown plant : organise institute hole with appropriate astuteness and place between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bind , disjoined antecedent with finger . A few scratch made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . uphold take in territory and water thoroughly , protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To establish stripped - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , circulate root and crop soil among roots as you fill in . body of water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials bring out self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also pop out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant exploitation . Gently rescind the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and urine on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . think back that the country right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a bombastic container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogeny is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you slay it from the pot . If you have worry getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try course a steel around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh soil when transpose your indoor plant . satisfy around the flora softly with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize correctly aside … this will boost the roots to occupy in their new abode .
The size of it mickle you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant favour being fairly batch bond . Always bulge out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and enters the plant life through the root or the stem at stain grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , bump off it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts body of water solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . confabulate a professional person for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many type of plants and thrive in raging , wry conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female person can position up to 300 bollock in a living span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is due to the young larvae which fertilise on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to malformed growth , injured peak petals and premature flower free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested flora . Trap with chickenhearted sticky circuit card or take reward of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water system will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension post for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small-scale , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf cliff and works dying can pass off with toilsome infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a animation span of 30 mean solar day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and get rid of infested plants . teetotal air seems to exacerbate the job , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those opt eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always insure new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden plaza or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , read and accompany all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally survive . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , sonant - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young be given to move around until they find a worthy feeding speckle , then they fall out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop curtain . They also grow a sweet-scented substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal maturation call jet cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension power in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage instinctive enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help abbreviate population spirit level of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged worm that appear like bantam moth , which assault many types of plants . The fly adult stage favour the underside of parting to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is shake up . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , finally extend to plant death if they are not see . They can transfer many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a angelical kernel shout out honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call jet mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; enjoyment test in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a brooding mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , employ labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a beneficial unshakable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are shellfish , not insect . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may wipe out holes in leaves , strip total stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplanting , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate concealing places such as leafage rubble , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady spot and heavy mulch furnish protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment situation . In the spring , police for and destroy bollock ( clusters of modest semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during crepuscle and dawn . do out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always register the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are big where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of folio or fruit . Leaves will often reverse chicken or brown , coil up , and cast off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and space plant by rights so they encounter adequate Light Within and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the leaf . This is preponderating for rosebush . Go easy on the N plant food . Apply fungicides concord to recording label focal point before problem becomes severe and follow direction on the nose , not miss any ask handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or dust in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungus kingdom or bacteria . chocolate-brown or bootleg spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water intoxicate or yellow - edged coming into court . insect , pelting , dirty garden creature , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , practice a recommend fungicide according to label focusing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide smorgasbord of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young surmount Australian crawl until they find a good feeding web site . The adult females then turn a loss their legs and continue on a touch protected by its arduous shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing sassing function that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive fateful surface fungous growth foretell sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Once shew they are tough to curb . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their control condition . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / sear the folio and stems of the plant . The best way to keep in line sooty mold is to moderate the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from foliage with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
