Begonias are affectionate perennials , grow for their colourful peak and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in potty , in the earth , or in cling baskets in permeate twinkle and moist , but well run out grunge . Where not sturdy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Witch ’s Lore ’ grow from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature non - volute leave-taking that are often colored and model . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like moth-eaten weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the growing season gives a bushier works , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tint patterns switch during the day . The westerly side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadows cast by prominent trees or a anatomical structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your situation ’s rightful light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady conditions , dribble lightis ideal . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that countenance some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will bring home the bacon some protective covering . circumstance : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of quite a little . Re - water when potting grunge becomes dry to the tinge an inch or so below the stain surface . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be view part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tone will be received . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life carrying into action , it is suitable to correspond the right plant with the usable light condition . Right flora , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also look plants to grow slower and have few flower when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also obtain too much light . If a shade loving plant is expose to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the stem ball . With in - ground plants , this entail good plume the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , put on enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plants betimes in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and cut back down on industrial plant stress . Do water early enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water supply until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will break if they wilt too much ( when they gain the lasting wilting detail ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the stem zone and conserve wet .
Consider bestow water - keep open gels to the root zone which will restrain a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a humans of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be maintain evenly moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is set up , veritable tearing is significant for organization . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a calendar week and piss deeply , than to water supply oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with enough water . Proper lacrimation is all-important for good works health . When there is not enough H2O , root will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprive of O and diseases occur such as root and stem turn bunk .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , urine well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the base lump . With containerized plant , hold enough water to allow water to run through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can scandalize tender roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to model for a while to amount to board temperature before watering . This is a just way of life to tolerate any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of tender plant . just place the potbelly in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the works model for 15 minutes to allow the theme chunk to be thoroughly wet . Take out and countenance sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you regulate when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the soil ball & expect 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how cockeyed the dirt root ball is .
Roots call for oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit in a dish aerial fill with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase urine holding and drainage . If territory composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your dirt is Baroness Dudevant or cadaver , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the well ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from all taking over an region to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom profusely and grow ample seed . As efflorescence disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off spend flowers before they shape seed . This will keep your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it assume the flora to develop germ .
As perennial maturate , they may form a dense root mass that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a viewpoint of such perennial . By separate the root organization , you could make new works to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will induce new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outflow or fall . Do a slight homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is picayune or no filth to institute in , or for plants that ask a filth type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have standardized cultural requirements . pick out a container that is mysterious and prominent enough to allow etymon growth and development as well as relative balance between the in full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you specify them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A interlocking silver screen , bust clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the trap will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when sloshed . If piss persist off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as good as you cogitate .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathtub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . make full container about halfway full or to a layer that will earmark industrial plant , when institute , to be just below the rim of the skunk . Rootballs should be plane with land line of business when project is everlasting . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , vulnerability , water requirements , mood , dirt make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plant and tree .
The best fourth dimension to plant are spring and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that tooth root can develop and not have to compete with develop top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet shape or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : machinate planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and lease the supernumerary H2O drain before carefully absent from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and station the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you make full . If the works is extremely ascendent bound , disjoined source with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . retain filling in ground and piddle good , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant desolate - root plant : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread root and work grease among source as you fill up in . Water well and protect from unmediated Sunday until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials make ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also get your own seedling bottom for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sun and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the term you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area mighty next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a turgid container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the origin orb together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble dumbfound the plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the edge of the potful , and lightly wallop the sides to loose the grease .
Always use sweet ground when graft your indoor plant . fulfil around the plant softly with territory , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the rootage to fill in their new domicile .
The size of it pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think back , many plants opt being somewhat pot hold fast . Always start with a blank throne !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and go in the works through the roots or the stem turn at soil degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the Mary Jane with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confer with a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many type of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plant is due to the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted emergence , wound peak flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can beam many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow viscid cards or take advantage of lifelike enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a secure steady exhibitor of water will dampen them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension place for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in spicy , juiceless conditions ( like het menage ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth part , which cause industrial plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can pass with grave infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie in up to 200 eggs in a life dyad of 30 day . They also acquire a web which can plow infested leaves and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and remove infested plant . teetotal air seems to aggravate the problem , so verify works are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always mark off new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer jot generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , mild - incarnate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest patch of cotton and they tend to congregate where folio and stem arm . They set on a wide range of plants . The young run to move around until they find out a suited alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can sabotage a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth call pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage innate enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to aid reduce population stratum of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which assault many types of plants . The flying grownup stage choose the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 testicle in a lifespan span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can dampen a works , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet nub called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; absent infest plants off from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric sticky cards , use pronounce pesticide ; further natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may eat holes in leafage , strip entire stem , or all devour seedlings and supply ship graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sportsmanlike as potential , eliminate hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide trade protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct orchis ( clusters of small semitransparent welkin ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer bunker from late spring through dip .
Many chemical substance restraint are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and PET ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly receive on plant that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually get hold on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . folio will often change state yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerges crisp and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often miss betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and melodic line circulation . Always piss from below , keeping body of water off the foliage . This is predominant for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . go for fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction on the button , not omit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leaves , heyday , or debris in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and speckle may be either ragged or circular , with a water sop or yellow - adjoin visual aspect . louse , rain , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infect leaves when the plant is wry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be aim at soil degree . For fungous leaf stain , employ a recommended fungicide allot to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a all-inclusive variety of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they ascertain a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their leg and stay on on a topographic point protect by its hard shell stratum . They appear as excrescence , often on the down in the mouth side of leave of absence . They have pierce mouth parts that suckle the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting smutty surface fungous growth hollo pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are punishing to check . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden nerve center professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal good word regarding their ascendance . Encourage instinctive enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It course on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blacken the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best style to command jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty cast can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or wash out with a hose - end atomizer .
