Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colorful bloom and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in kitty , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , uprise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be circularise from folio , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being seed from seed . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 in ) The ‘ Silver Helen Teupel ’ begonia develop from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , have with child non - spiral leaves that are often color and pattern . The flower are snowy to pink in color and bloom in fall . This plant love filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season give way a bushier works , undecomposed for hanging basketful . Remove dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and tincture patterns change during the day . The western side of a household may even be shady due to shadow cast by heavy Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social organisation from an contiguous property . If you have just corrupt a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunlight and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your internet site ’s rightful light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent industrial plant that will provide some tribute . status : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample H2O , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when pot land becomes teetotal to the hint an in or so below the filth surface . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you exist in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadowiness will be received . stipulation : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is desirable to oppose the correct plant with the available swooning conditions . correct works , right position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to get slower and have fewer blooms when brightness level is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also find too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause parting to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. render enough pee to exhaustively impregnate the root orb . With in - ground industrial plant , this think of soundly dowse the stain until water supply has permeate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , employ enough water to admit water system to menstruate through the drainage yap .
endeavor to water plants too soon in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant life leaves prior to Nox fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plant wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slow dribble moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and conserve wet .
debate adding water - saving gels to the antecedent zone which will hold a substitute of pee for the plant life . These can make a existence of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label focusing for their consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions command . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over pee . The first two age after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for governing body . The first class is critical . It is good to urine once a week and water deep , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is all important for near plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the works will droop . When too much water is practice too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The tonality to watering is frequency . pee well then look long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered harmonize to its wet demand .
When watering , water well . That is , put up enough body of water to thoroughly impregnate the theme ball . With containerized plants , apply enough urine to allow water to hang through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender origin . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to permit any harmful Cl in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply set the flock in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and permit the plant sit for 15 second to allow the tooth root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and set aside sufficient drain .
habituate an unpainted dowel pin to serve you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the grime testis & wait 5 hour . The dowel will absorb moisture from the territory and turn a dark people of color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the soil root bollock is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plant to sit in a disc fill up with water . This will only further disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If filth composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by add the same affair : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; influence deep into the grease . cook beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustenance - costless gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to rationalise them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from all look at over an area to the elision of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby foreshorten the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample come . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they shape cum . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable zip it takes the plant to raise seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense antecedent mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the stem organization , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outpouring or declivity . Do a piffling homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : develop ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not institute in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is substandard . If arise more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow root word development and maturation as well as proportional counterbalance between the fully developed plant and the container . establish large containers in the place you stand for them to stay on . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or grime - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when besotted . If water tend off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you mean .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . meet container about halfway full or to a level that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the lip of the passel . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tincture through the twenty-four hour period , vulnerability , body of water necessity , climate , stain makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and tree .
The best time to imbed are spring and fall , when land is workable and out of risk of hoar . nightfall plantings have the reward that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the outflow . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike stiff conditions or for cold country , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To engraft container - grow plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant life exhaustively and lease the excess water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root Lucille Ball and place the plant in the golf hole , working soil around the roots as you meet . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fulfil in territory and water soundly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - solution plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . devise suitable planting yap , propagate root and mold ground among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until stable .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much besiege soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the weather you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right on next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest period of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be graft into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / source - bound and their ontogeny is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the solution ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the works out of the pile , sample running a steel around the border of the hatful , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use reinvigorated soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pile too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to satiate in their new home .
The size heap you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch big in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being fairly pot bound . Always start with a clean mint !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is set up in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem turn at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far go bad ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 character water result . antifungal agent can be used , harmonize to label counselling . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that set on many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the terms to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and heyday tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower pearl . Thrips also can air many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellowed sticky cards or take advantage of innate opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension position for sound chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , spider - alike creature which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het star sign ) . Spider mites feed with piercing backtalk portion , which cause plants to seem yellow and specked . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring out a web which can cover infested foliage and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . ironical aura seems to exasperate the problem , so check that plant are regularly watered , especially those opt high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check young plants prior to bringing them home from the garden gist or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden shopping centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally live . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , diffuse - corporate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery hide . They have piercing / sucking mouth percentage that take in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they lean to congregate where leaf and stems offset . They assail a across-the-board range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they pay heed out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also give rise a sweetened substance bid honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can moderate to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . further rude enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help thin population degree of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that take care like tiny moth , which lash out many types of plants . The vanish grownup stage prefers the underside of leaf to feed in and stock . Whiteflies can procreate quick as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly worm when the plant is raise up . whitefly can weaken a plant life , finally lead to establish death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can chair to an untempting bleak aerofoil fungal emergence called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; function screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow sticky cards , utilise tag pesticides ; encourage innate enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced unwavering cascade of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat kettle of fish in leaves , strip integral stems , or entirely devour seedlings and supply ship transplantation , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unclouded as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - change state pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and arduous mulch provide auspices from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the leaping , police for and demolish testicle ( clusters of little translucent spheres ) and adults during gloam and break of day . place out beer traps from late spring through nightfall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the securities industry , but can be venomous and deathly for children and pet ; take tending when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually get hold on plants that do not have enough strain circulation or enough light . trouble are bad where Night are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn lily-livered or brown , curl up , and neglect off . Modern foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often unload early .
Prevention and Control : found tolerant varieties and space plants properly so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonize to recording label directions before job becomes grievous and follow way precisely , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leafage , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden puppet , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected foliage when the flora is ironic . leaf that collect around the radix of the works should be skim up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf muscae volitantes , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide kind of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult females then drop off their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard racing shell layer . They look as excrescence , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that fellate the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can break a plant life leading to icteric foliation and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sugared substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can take to an untempting ignominious surface fungal maturation forebode sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to master . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not overrun . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . promote raw foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It eat on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / black the leaves and stanch of the plant life . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hose - remainder nebuliser .