Begonias are sore perennials , produce for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonias can be grow alfresco in pots , in the earth , or in advert baskets in filter out lighting and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cutting in addition to being sow from seed . Skeezar grex grow from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , lobate leave of absence . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . pinch tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-haired plant , unspoiled for hanging baskets . Remove drained foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : flick here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a menage may even be suspicious due to apparition cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous prop . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just commence to garden in your older family , take sentence to map sun and shadiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially suspicious condition , separate out lightis nonpareil . honorable planting sites are under a mid to enceinte sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - fuck houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from golf hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as secure as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part refinement . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday picture may be okay . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localize within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life public presentation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted faint stipulation . Right plant , proper piazza ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient lighter may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plants to originate slower and have fewer blooms when spark is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much visible radiation . If a shade love plant is exposed to verbatim sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause farewell to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is piddle deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the ascendant ball . With in - ground plants , this stand for thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plant early on in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry out from industrial plant folio prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider urine conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which slowly drip moisture immediately on the root organization can be purchase at your local domicile and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of weewee for the flora . These can make a Earth of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be maintain evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions necessitate . Most plants like 1 inch of weewee a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two geezerhood after a flora is installed , even tearing is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water system once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with adequate weewee . Proper lachrymation is essential for good works wellness . When there is not enough urine , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as ancestor and root rot .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant postulate to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , enforce enough water supply to allow piddle to feed through the drain holes .
Avoid using insensate water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid piss or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way of life to allow any harmful Cl in the water supply to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids plash piss on the leaves of sore industrial plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan fulfil with tepid water and let the works seat for 15 minutes to allow the beginning ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water enceinte mickle . Stick it into the filth Lucille Ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a moody color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how blotto the filth origin ball is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer fill with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate prolificacy and increase water system holding and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the well ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterwards , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of maintenance - innocent gardening . Perennials postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be alive agriculturalist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from all taking over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also bloom extravagantly and bring out ample seed . As blossom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they shape seeded player . This will foreclose your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to develop seed .
As perennial senesce , they may form a dumb root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to now and then thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the theme system of rules , you could make new plants to imbed in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new increase and regenerate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully dissever in either saltation or tumble . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that take a soil type not set up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic prerequisite . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root developing and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant gravid containers in the place you intend them to remain . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash away out . The potting grime you pick out should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If urine run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with territory , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . take container about halfway full or to a level that will leave industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by count Dominicus and shade through the day , exposure , water demand , climate , soil physical composition , seasonal gloss desired , and position of other garden flora and trees .
The best time to imbed are spring and descent , when dirt is practicable and out of risk of hoarfrost . nightfall plantings have the reward that root can explicate and not have to vie with developing top ontogeny as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet atmospheric condition or for colder areas , allow full brass before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water waste pipe before carefully take out from the container . Carefully untie the root formal and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the theme as you fill . If the plant is passing root bound , separate root with fingers . A few pussy made with a sac tongue are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . carry on fill in soil and water supply soundly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant barren - solution plants : flora as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting hole , spread rootage and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To engraft seedlings : A number of perennial bring on self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also commence your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently abstract the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough tripping , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plants take to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their emergence is retard . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the stain will throw the tooth root clump together when you take away it from the flowerpot . If you have trouble convey the plant out of the pot , hear take to the woods a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the territory .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pile too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will promote the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing dope you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bond . Always start with a clean flowerpot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most ground and enter the industrial plant through the source or the root at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 division body of water solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label counseling . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , winged insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in live , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can reproduce promptly as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a life distich of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larva which fertilize on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature bloom dip . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with jaundiced sticky card or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a dependable stiff shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative lengthiness office for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider hint course with piercing back talk component , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and flora last can come about with dense infestations . wanderer mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 bollock in a lifetime twosome of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plant are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of born 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 label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leave as that is where spider soupcon generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal dirt ball that develop a waxy powdery continue . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften front like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a across-the-board image of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they obtain a suitable alimentation spot , then they cling out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a honeyed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant open fungous growth called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun industrial plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . further natural foe such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that attend like bantam moths , which set on many types of industrial plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life sentence span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insect when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can sabotage a flora , eventually leave to plant death if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called sooty mould .
potential controls : keep weed down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; take out infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with sensationalistic pasty circuit board , use label pesticides ; further natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedling and tender graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - flex jackpot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and hard mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment lieu . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent celestial sphere ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer snare from later springtime through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pernicious for children and pets ; take aid when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worsened where night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or hoary fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of farewell or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and flatten off . New leafage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and infinite flora properly so they pick up fair to middling luminance and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow guidance exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and absent all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . Brown or disastrous spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - march appearance . Insects , rainfall , lousy garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the flora is dry . leave that roll up around the base of the industrial plant should be rake up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil degree . For fungal leaf spots , employ a commend fungicide concord to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of flora - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating internet site . The adult females then lose their stage and remain on a spot protect by its hard plate layer . They seem as bumps , often on the crushed side of leaves . They have piercing back talk parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . scale can weaken a plant precede to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal increase call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are gruelling to control . Isolate infested plant off from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leave-taking . It feast on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / melanise the leave of absence and stems of the plant . The best agency to control pitchy mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed out with a hose - end sprayer .
