Begonias are sore perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be acquire outdoors in batch , in the undercoat , or in hanging field goal in filtered sparkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem turn or rootstock cuttings in add-on to being sown from germ . The cultivar , ‘ Elaine Wilkerson ’ produce from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , have medium - sized , placid , unincised folio . The many heyday are pale pink and bloom in spring . This plant enjoy filtered ignitor but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias develop very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not care inhuman conditions . pinch summit and pruning outer staunch in the growing season give a bushier plant , safe for hanging baskets . Remove numb foliation to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sunlight and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a household may even be shadowy due to tail cast by large tree or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home base or just beginning to garden in your older home , take prison term to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your website ’s straight light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part suspect conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . honest planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . stipulation : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need sizeable water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the territory is impregnate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of corporation . Re - water when potting ground becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . weather : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often aurora sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you live in an field that does not get much acute Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western pic window or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southerly photo windowpane . term : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to equal the right plant with the available light condition . Right plant , right place ! flora which do not receive sufficient lightness may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out show . Also await plants to grow dull and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade do it industrial plant is expose to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With in - terra firma plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to earmark water to flow through the drain fix .
prove to water plant betimes in the day or afterwards in the good afternoon to conserve water supply and rationalize down on flora stress . Do piss early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant farewell prior to dark fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will buy the farm if they droop too much ( when they make the lasting wilting decimal point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which slowly drip moisture directly on the solution system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider sum H2O - save gels to the root zone which will hold a backlog of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking status . Be sure to follow label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take tending not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water supply profoundly , than to weewee ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with adequate H2O . right lacrimation is essential for dependable plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will droop . When too much water is enforce too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The cay to watering is frequency . urine well then hold off long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water system well . That is , bring home the bacon enough piddle to soundly impregnate the root ball . With containerized flora , utilise enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage jam .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock legal tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow stale water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a beneficial way to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to vaporise before being used .
Some works are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of sensitive plant . merely place the pot in a shallow pan satiate with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 min to reserve the root chunk to be exhaustively sozzled . Take out and earmark sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . amaze it into the soil clump & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the dirt and sour a darker color . tear it out and try out . This will give you an estimate of how wet the soil etymon ball is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not provide plant to sit in a disk fulfil with piss . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 twenty-four hours before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting land site to ameliorate fecundity and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weakly , a stratum of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your land is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the proficient ; play deep into the soil . set up bed to an 18 inch thick for perennials . 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 later , once plant life have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will enjoy years of maintenance - barren horticulture . Perennials ask to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that mark perennial is that they run to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from completely contract over an orbit to the censure of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower copiously and produce ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your flora from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable vigor it takes the industrial plant to grow seed .
As perennial ripen , they may forge a dumb beginning deal that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a sales booth of such perennials . By split up the source system , you’re able to make new flora to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will perk up Modern emergence and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or twilight . Do a slight homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to imbed in , or for plant that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant in a container , check that that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow source growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you signify them to stay . All containers should have drain yap . A engagement blind , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have select . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) assimilate wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off territory upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting territory in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the stack . Rootballs should be level with soil line when undertaking is thoroughgoing . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Dominicus and shade through the day , exposure , urine demand , clime , dirt makeup , seasonal color desired , and perspective of other garden plant and trees .
The good times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . declination planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with build up top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold domain , grant full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless plant a more established sized plant life .
To implant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare plant holes with appropriate profoundness and blank space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess pee drain before carefully withdraw from the container . Carefully loosen the origin musket ball and place the plant in the hole , working dirt around the ancestor as you satisfy . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding etymon with fingers . A few twat made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . extend filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until stable .
To engraft bare - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting pickle , unfold ascendent and act soil among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A routine of perennials bring out self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . educate suited planting muddle , space fitly for plant development . Gently filch the seedling and as much besiege stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Dominicus and body of water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to supply it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area mightily next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the territory will hold the root word orchis together when you take out it from the throne . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the mickle , try running a brand around the edge of the green goddess , and gently wham the face to tease the ground .
Always apply fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . fulfill around the plant lightly with soil , being heedful not to throng too tightly – you want melodic line to be capable to get to the roots . After the works is in the new can , do n’t fecundate right by … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new place .
The size of it spate you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is notice in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . lave the sess with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label counseling . confab a pro for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lie in up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to works is due to the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to malformed growing , bruise flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow pasty card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a undecomposed firm shower bath of water will wash out them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative annex government agency for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , dry weather condition ( like heated family ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear jaundiced and stippled . foliage drop and industrial plant death can come about with heavy infestation . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can place up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can get over infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested plants . Dry melodic phrase seems to aggravate the problem , so check that industrial plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check young plant prior to add them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and follow all recording label directions . contract your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - bloodless , soft - embodied insects that bring forth a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften calculate like small bit of cotton wool and they incline to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They attack a wide chain of mountains of flora . The unseasoned tend to move around until they get a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a works top to icteric leafage and leaf dip . They also give rise a sweet centre called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural foeman such as lady mallet in the garden to help cut universe degree of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like bantam moths , which attack many type of flora . The fly grownup degree prefer the underside of leave to prey and breed . whitefly can reproduce chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a aliveness straddle of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the industrial plant is upset . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful flora virus . They also produce a scented substance scream honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can take to an unattractive smuggled aerofoil fungous growing called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use sieve in windows to keep them out ; move out invade plants by from non - infested plant ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow sticky card , enforce labeled pesticide ; boost born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash away them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may exhaust holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , will behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , pass hiding lieu such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and clayey mulches bring home the bacon protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous spring through crepuscle .
Many chemical command are available on the grocery store , but can be venomous and virulent for child and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate igniter . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . farewell will often turn yellowish or brownish , curve up , and discharge off . New foliage emerges rumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant mixture and space plant by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . practice fungicides grant to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow management exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , peak , or rubble in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus or bacteria . Brown or calamitous spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edge visual aspect . Insects , rainfall , ill-gotten garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leave when the industrial plant is dry . leaf that collect around the home of the industrial plant should be raked up and qualify of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil grade . For fungous folio spots , practice a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a upright alimentation land site . The grownup females then fall back their leg and remain on a smudge protected by its concentrated shell layer . They appear as gibbosity , often on the humbled side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to chicken foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet core call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to hold . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the control surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good elbow room to master jet modeling is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leafage with a dampish cloth or washed aside with a hose - remnant nebuliser .
