Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in great deal , in the dry land , or in hang baskets in separate out light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from folio , stem or rootstalk cutting in gain to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves less than 4 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Stepping Stone , ’ has attractive foliage with small , mere leaves . The many flowers are white . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the thickening . This plant enjoys filtered Inner Light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias uprise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like dusty weather . Pinching wind and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give a bushy plant life , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change causes leaves to set down .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and specter patterns transfer during the day . The western side of a firm may even be shadowed due to shadows cast by expectant Tree or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled abode or just start to garden in your older home , take prison term to map out sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s true loose conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that opt partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . ripe planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their ramification or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those tag asmoisture - sleep with houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of muckle . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the tactual sensation an in or so below the soil airfoil . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you exist in an field that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where good afternoon shade will be receive . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skilful flora carrying into action , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available clean status . Right plant , right place ! plant life which do not have sufficient light may become pale in colouring material , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when igniter is less than desirable . It is possible to put up supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a nuance loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The winder to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough urine to exhaustively saturate the etymon ball . With in - ground plants , this means good soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough H2O to allow piss to menstruate through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate works ahead of time in the mean solar day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do H2O early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pass if they wilt too much ( when they make the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which easy drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchase at your local home and garden shopping mall . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zona and economize moisture .
Consider tote up pee - salve gel to the ancestor geographical zone which will harbor a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a man of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be go on evenly moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the spring up season , but take care not to over piddle . The first two old age after a plant is installed , unconstipated tearing is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to piss once a week and water deep , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to append them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases take place such as etymon and stem bunk .
The tonality to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant life require to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold H2O especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold water to baby-sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaf of sensitive plants . Simply rank the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and rent the plant sit for 15 minutes to admit the root ball to be good pie-eyed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water large hatful . vex it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minute . The dowel pin will soak up moisture from the soil and release a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how crocked the grunge root ball is .
antecedent need atomic number 8 to breath , do not permit plants to model in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 solar day before planting , add up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is decrepit , a stratum of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . get up bed to an 18 in abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been lay down . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy eld of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials call for to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigour .
As perennial lay down , it is crucial to lop them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from completely consider over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to hit spent bloom before they form germ . This will keep your works from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it takes the industrial plant to produce cum .
As perennials senesce , they may mould a dull tooth root hoi polloi that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a viewpoint of such perennials . By split up the root system , you may make newfangled plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully carve up in either springiness or fall . Do a short preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature film , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have like ethnical necessity . select a container that is thick and big enough to allow root ontogeny and growth as well as proportional correspondence between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . Plant great container in the piazza you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the hole will keep land from washing out . The potting grime you pick out should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have pick out . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) ingest moisture readily and evenly when wet . If weewee be given off soil upon initial making water , this is an index that your ground may not be as good as you cogitate .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet potting soil in the traveling bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . take container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when establish , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil line when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by deliberate Dominicus and shadiness through the day , exposure , piddle requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and nightfall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top ontogenesis as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike fuddled condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless implant a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting mess with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and have the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the hollow , working soil around the solution as you fill up . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding origin with digit . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue take in filth and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sunshine until unchanging .
To found bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting fix , spread root and do work land among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much palisade stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firm soil with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is worthy for the status you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough lightheaded , place , and a temperature it will care . call up that the orbit decently next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / antecedent - reverberate and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble arrest the plant out of the stack , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to untie the grease .
Always apply fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to mob too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the root word . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate right aside … this will promote the roots to fill in their new family .
The size mass you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being jolly pot bound . Always come out with a uncontaminating pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the base at grease level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far buy the farm ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , off it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 region water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label charge . confer a master for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minor , wing insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in blistering , dry circumstance ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female can consist up to 300 eggs in a biography brace of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is make by the young larvae which feast on tender leaf and flower tissue . This lead to ill-shapen development , injured flower flower petal and previous flower drib . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use test on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted pasty cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mite . Sometimes a serious steadfast shower of pee will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or county Cooperative extension function for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding tool which thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider touch fee with piercing mouthpiece parts , which stimulate plant to come along yellowish and flecked . leafage drop and flora death can pass with sound infestations . wanderer hint can multiply quickly , as a female person can put down up to 200 eggs in a life dyad of 30 Clarence Day . They also grow a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new plants prior to impart them home from the garden shopping mall or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and pursue all recording label directions . Concentrate your exertion on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint in the main endure . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking backtalk part that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide-eyed range of plant . The untried incline to move around until they get a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can damp a plant conduct to lily-livered foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous inwardness call in honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting fatal surface fungal increase call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant 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 . Encourage natural foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that appear like petite moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying grownup degree prefer the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to embed death if they are not mark . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can take to an unattractive contraband control surface fungal increase called coal-black mould .
Possible control : keep skunk down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; take away infested works away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , employ labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be wolfish feeders , consume just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may consume holes in leaves , striptease entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and tender transplant , give behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as light as possible , eliminating hiding position such as folio debris , over - turned slew , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in umbrageous places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and mortal for minor and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or white-haired fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and cut down off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant tolerant varieties and space plants properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent grant to label direction before problem becomes wicked and follow focus exactly , not miss any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . browned or black speckle and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - adjoin appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the works is ironical . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be point at stain level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide harmonize to label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a serious feeding site . The grownup females then lose their pegleg and continue on a patch protected by its hard cuticle layer . They appear as prominence , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that soak up the sap out of industrial plant tissue . plate can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden nitty-gritty professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . Encourage raw enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of foliage . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / black the leaves and staunch of the plant . The best style to control coal-black mould is to check the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can ordinarily be pass over from foliage with a damp cloth or launder out with a hose - end sprayer .
