Begonias are tender perennials , rise for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in separate out light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be circulate from foliage , base or rhizome cutting in accession to being sown from source . ‘ Chichee ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , unincised leaves . The flowers are white and flower February through May . This plant enjoys filtered illumination but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like stale weather . snarf peak and pruning stunned stems in the growing season gives a bushy plant , right for hanging hoop . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sunshine and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a anatomical structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their subdivision or beneath marvellous plants that will leave some aegis . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe standpoint of trees or shadows vomit up by a house or building . flora that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree may nonplus additional problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrients and root blank space .
Partial shademeans that an country receives filtered light , often through tall branch of an undefendable growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root contention is usually less . fond nuance can also be attain by locate a plant beneath an mandrel or lathe - similar structure . Shadier sides of a building are usually the northern or northeasterly side . These sides also tend to be a lilliputian ice chest . It is not uncommon for plants that can allow full sun or some sun in cooler clime to ask some shade in warmer climates due to stress aim on the industrial plant from reduced wet and unreasonable heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous weewee , or those labeled asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturate and then drains freely from cakehole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the touching an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a youthful plant to promote branching . Doing this forfend the need for more severe pruning by and by on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the DoI of a plant to let more light in and to increase melodic phrase circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to lead off thinning is to get down by removing dead or morbid wood .
Shearing is dismantle the surface of a bush using hand or electric shear . This is done to keep the desired chassis of a hedgerow or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branch or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is commend that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a sentence . Remember to polish off branch from the interior of the plant life as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , thin out back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural aspect . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor dear works performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the uncommitted lite circumstance . veracious plant , right position ! Plants which do not pick up sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also ask plants to develop slow and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tad have intercourse plant life is reveal to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less often . When watering , water system well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the tooth root clod . With in - reason plants , this mean soundly soak the dirt until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage holes .
assay to water plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to maintain water and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee betimes enough so that water system has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant life will conk out if they droop too much ( when they get through the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local dwelling and garden centre of attention . mulch can importantly cool down the root word zone and conserve wet .
view add weewee - save gel to the tooth root zone which will concord a reticence of water for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under nerve-wracking atmospheric condition . Be certain to follow recording label instruction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions take . Most plant like 1 inch of weewee a week during the produce season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for ecesis . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with adequate urine . Proper tearing is essential for adept industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , root word will wither and the works will droop . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as rootage and stem rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . piss well then look long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered grant to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized works , apply enough water to provide water to flow through the drainage mess .
fend off using insensate water peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock cutter base . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan satiate with tepid water and let the plant model for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel to serve you settle when to re - water bombastic pots . Stick it into the soil egg & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel pin will imbibe wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the land root clod is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to intimation , do not allow works to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve prolificacy and increase water system memory and drain . If soil composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your grease is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by contribute the same thing : organic issue . The more , the good ; work late into the soil . educate layer to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials give , it is crucial to trim them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from altogether take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they forge seed . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable muscularity it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may organize a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root word system , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or drop . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that demand a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , ensure that all have alike ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh covert , broken clay plenty pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter station over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting stain you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as practiced as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil assembly line when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Dominicus and tint through the Clarence Day , picture , water supply demand , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and spot of other garden works and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are bound and dusk , when grease is practicable and out of danger of rime . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike lactating shape or for insensate field , allowing full governing body before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized works .
To imbed container - grow plant life : Prepare plant holes with appropriate astuteness and blank between . Water the plant soundly and let the supererogatory water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease apart the etymon orchis and localize the plant in the hole , work stain around the roots as you fulfill . If the works is extremely root bound , freestanding ascendant with finger . A few prick made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . uphold fill in soil and urine thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To implant naked - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting maw , disperse roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedling : A number of perennials make self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . fix suited planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently plagiarise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and urine well . Shade from direct sunlight and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the condition you are able-bodied to offer it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor industrial plant postulate to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become quite a little / root - spring and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will reserve the beginning formal together when you take away it from the Mary Jane . If you have difficulty catch the industrial plant out of the commode , try running a blade around the border of the pot , and gently whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always employ fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . satisfy around the industrial plant softly with soil , being deliberate not to backpack too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the radical . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize decent off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their newfangled home .
The size pot you prefer is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant favour being somewhat pot bound . Always bulge with a clean jackpot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is institute in most grime and enters the plant through the roots or the base at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , move out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the green goddess with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine solution . Fungicides can be used , allot to label directions . confabulate a master for a legal good word of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 Clarence Day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is have by the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and blossom tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flush petals and previous heyday drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . bump off or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow unenviable menu or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of urine will wash away them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension phone office for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding puppet which prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite feed with piercing oral cavity share , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy plague . wanderer mites can multiply chop-chop , as a female can lie up to 200 bollock in a life span of 30 daytime . They also produce a web which can overlay infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and absent infested industrial plant . Dry gentle wind seems to decline the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check young plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , understand and follow all label directions . Concentrate your sweat on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider hint loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery incubate . They have piercing / give suck oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem arm . They attack a spacious cooking stove of plants . The immature tend to move around until they regain a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to xanthous foliation and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can pass to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that depend like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of folio to tip and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 bollock in a life dyad of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is interrupt . Whiteflies can weaken a works , eventually go to plant death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet message call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
potential control : keep pot down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant life away from non - infested works ; employ a contemplative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with yellow gluey placard , utilize labeled pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of piss will wash off them off the plant . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not worm . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire base , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , pass concealment position such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady property and heavy mulch provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , police for and demolish eggs ( clump of small translucent heavens ) and adults during dusk and morning . correct out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and pernicious for fry and pets ; take care when using them - always register the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on flora that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and day are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of foliage or yield . foliage will often call on chickenhearted or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerge crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and place plants the right way so they receive equal lighting and air circulation . Always water system from below , keep piss off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antifungal according to recording label directions before job becomes austere and follow way on the dot , not overlook any necessitate treatment . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leafage , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , ill-gotten garden tools , or even people can aid its ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironical . Leaves that amass around the nucleotide of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at soil degree . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide consort to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark variety of works - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales creeping until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their leg and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They appear as protrusion , often on the lower side of meat of foliage . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fateful surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it track / blackens the leave and staunch of the plant . The best way to control jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leave with a damp fabric or washed forth with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
