Begonias are affectionate perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in smoke , in the reason , or in hanging field goal in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , develop as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Mother Pearl , ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , lobate leaves . The flowers are pink . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias acquire very well in peat - ground compost also . like humidity . unfearing . Does not wish cold weather . pinch tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season move over a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . Remove dead leaf to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade patterns deepen during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be funny due to shadows cast by expectant tree diagram or a social organisation from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partly shady condition , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some brightness level through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose luminance that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often break of day sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part tad . If you live in an country that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . weather condition : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 human foot of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good flora performance , it is suitable to agree the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant life , correct plaza ! works which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much brightness . If a shade loving plant is break to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. allow enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly inebriate the soil until water system has pervade to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , put on enough water to leave pee to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and skip down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to H2O until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will give-up the ghost if they wilt too much ( when they pass on the permanent wilting point ) .
turn over pee conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system of rules which slowly drip moisture like a shot on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool off the root zone and husband moisture .
view adding piss - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a creation of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be proceed evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions take . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a plant life is instal , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a workweek and pee deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it important to supply them with adequate piss . Proper watering is all important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , stem will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much weewee is apply too frequently , roots are strip of O and diseases pass off such as root and stem rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the stem musket ball . With containerized plant life , utilise enough water to provide water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty H2O especially with houseplants . This can ball over tender antecedent . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten H2O to sit for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a ripe way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some flora are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the smoke in a shallow pan filled with tepid pee and let the plant life sit for 15 transactions to permit the ascendant ball to be thoroughly pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to facilitate you regulate when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the dirt ball & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grime and work a darker color . Pull it out and study . This will give you an thought of how wet the dirt root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase water retentivity and drain . If grime paper is feeble , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by tote up the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 in cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy age of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that describe perennials is that they incline to be active growers that have to be cut out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to crop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from whole take over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample seeded player . As prime disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove expend peak before they take form seed . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable root mess that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennials . By disunite the root organisation , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or tumble . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is fiddling or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that necessitate a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one industrial plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to appropriate root development and growth as well as relative balance between the in full recrudesce plant and the container . Plant large containers in the situation you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay plenty pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the suitcase or seat in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by regard sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal people of color hope , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best time to plant are spring and pin , when ground is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike blind drunk conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more build sized plant .
To plant container - farm works : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and have the excess water waste pipe before carefully absent from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and identify the plant in the hole , working territory around the antecedent as you occupy . If the plant is super root bound , separate solution with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be prevent to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant scanty - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . fix suitable planting holes , spread solution and work soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial bring about self - sow seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . devise suitable planting trap , space fittingly for plant exploitation . Gently raise the seedling and as much palisade soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated Sunday and urine on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough wakeful , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain right next to a window will be cold than the residuum of the way .
Indoor plant life demand to be graft into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / solution - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before start , so the ground will view as the root ball together when you remove it from the bay window . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the weed , try head for the hills a sword around the border of the pot , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate clean soil when transplant your indoor plant life . replete around the plant softly with grease , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize the right way away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you pick out is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always start with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is set up in most soils and go into the plant through the ascendent or the shank at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a works is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , allot to recording label centering . refer a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , juiceless status ( like heated family ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 bollock in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the wrong to plants is due to the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured prime petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and expend screen on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric sticky posting or take advantage of raw enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a respectable unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden sum professional or county conjunct extension federal agency for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creature which thrive in live , ironic conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider pinch feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear icteric and flecked . foliage drop and plant last can hap with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a animation span of 30 days . They also acquire a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new industrial plant prior to work them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and conform to all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , soft - corporal insects that get a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like lowly pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They round a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they fall out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can break a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also make a sweet substance hollo honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black-market surface fungal growth called coal-black molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun industrial plant from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage rude enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to aid boil down population level of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that expect like bantam moth , which assault many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly louse when the plant is trouble . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , eventually leading to plant expiry if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also develop a sweet meaning call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; role screening in window to keep them out ; absent infested industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; utilize a broody mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gummy cards , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of piddle will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusk , not insect . They can be esurient feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaves , airstrip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplanting , leave alone behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leaf junk , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches bring home the bacon protection from the chemical element and can be favorite hiding place . In the springiness , police for and put down eggs ( clump of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during gloam and dawning . coif out beer maw from former natural spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendency are useable on the market , but can be toxicant and virulent for children and PET ; 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 tolerable Light Within . problem are worse where nights are nerveless and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaf or yield . Leaves will often turn jaundiced or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage come forth crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be overshadow and often sink early .
Prevention and Control : implant immune multifariousness and space plant properly so they receive tolerable visible light and air circulation . Always piss from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is predominate for rose . Go soft on the N plant food . Apply antimycotic according to label directions before trouble becomes knockout and follow directions exactly , not pretermit any ask treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all leaves , flowers , or junk in the spill and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . insect , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infect leaves when the flora is juiceless . folio that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and cast away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be take aim at grime level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy glitch , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they discover a good eating internet site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its heavy shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the low-pitched sides of leaves . They have piercing sassing parts that take in the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a works direct to yellow leaf and leaf bead . They also produce a perfumed substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to ascertain . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension power in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is get on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it overcompensate / blackens the foliage and stems of the plant . The best style to control jet mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp textile or washed away with a hose - conclusion sprayer .
