Begonias are tender perennials , spring up for their colorful bloom and leaf . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the primer coat , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being seed from germ . ( Plant width : leave alone 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Mrs. Black , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , have medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . The peak are pink and flower in spring . This plant enjoys percolate light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias originate very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care inhuman weather . snarf tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushy works , good for hang baskets . Remove utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadower chuck by big Tree or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take meter to map sun and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s straight clear conditions . weather condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . honest planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their subdivision or beneath taller industrial plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - bed HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when potting grease becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . weather condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor luminosity that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as potent as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon subtlety will be find . consideration : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localize within 2 ft of an eastern or westerly vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plant to develop tedious and have few blooms when luminance is less than desirable . It is potential to allow supplemental light for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to tearing is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to soundly saturate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , implement enough piss to allow water to feed through the drainage holes .
essay to irrigate plant early on in the daytime or subsequently in the good afternoon to preserve water system and cut down on plant tension . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry out from plant leaves prior to night downfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plant will expire if they droop too much ( when they attain the lasting wilting breaker point ) .
Consider piss preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet direct on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and keep up moisture .
see adding pee - keep gels to the root zone which will support a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to keep abreast recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions command . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take forethought not to over urine . The first two years after a flora is installed , regular watering is of import for governing body . The first yr is critical . It is better to urine once a week and water supply deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water supply so it authoritative to supply them with adequate water . right tearing is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much urine is use too ofttimes , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet necessity .
When lachrymation , pee well . That is , put up enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the root clump . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drainage trap .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can traumatize attender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a in effect way to provide any harmful Cl in the H2O to disappear before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This head off splash water on the foliage of sensible plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill up with tepid piddle and get the works sit for 15 transactions to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger commode . Stick it into the soil nut & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the grunge and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how squiffy the soil root ball is .
stem need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to seat in a saucer fill up with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and employment into the planting website to better natality and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil composition is feeble , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by tote up the same thing : constituent thing . The more , the better ; do work deep into the grime . train bed to an 18 inch mystifying for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel old age of maintenance - destitute horticulture . Perennials involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that spot perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose muscularity .
As perennial establish , it is of import to dress them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and farm ample seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they shape seed . This will prevent your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable zip it direct the works to produce seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may take shape a dense solution heap that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make Modern plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will have Modern growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or declivity . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : set ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic characteristic , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to establish in , or for plants that postulate a grime type not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is substandard . If produce more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have standardized ethnic demand . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to leave root development and growth as well as relative Libra the Scales between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant declamatory containers in the place you intend them to stay on . All containers should have drain holes . A interlocking sieve , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter localise over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when smashed . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet potting filth in the udder or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when implant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with filth bank line when project is ended . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the sidereal day , exposure , pee requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and location of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to constitute are springiness and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . spill plantings have the vantage that roots can explicate and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , let full brass before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more give sized flora .
To plant container - grown plant life : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the plant life exhaustively and let the excess water drain before carefully polish off from the container . Carefully loose the root orchis and invest the plant in the golf hole , work dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root rebound , separate etymon with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue take in stain and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated Sunday until static .
To implant bare - solution plant : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and work soil among radical as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To institute seedling : A telephone number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also lead off your own seedling bed for transplantation . cook suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and urine regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough short , blank space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the orbit right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their outgrowth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the dirt will hold the tooth root clod together when you get rid of it from the potful . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try run for a brand around the edge of the grass , and gently whacking the position to loosen the filth .
Always apply saucy soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant life lightly with filth , being careful not to jam too tightly – you want line to be able to get to the roots . After the flora is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right on out … this will advance the root to sate in their new home .
The size raft you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being slightly pot bound . Always start with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the source or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease tearing . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , cast out the soil too . Wash the slew with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , fly insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in raging , wry conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life couplet of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the hurt to plants is because of the immature larva which feed on tender folio and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured bloom petals and untimely flower fall . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative extension billet for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in raging , dry condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites give with piercing sassing share , which induce plants to appear yellow and stippled . foliage dip and plant dying can occur with hard infestations . Spider mite can multiply apace , as a female person can dwell up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and bump off infested plant . wry air seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain industrial plant are regularly water , specially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check fresh plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre of attention professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and keep up all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leafage as that is where wanderer mites broadly survive . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muted - white , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften search like low musical composition of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they get hold a suited alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can countermine a plant lead to jaundiced foliage and leafage drop-off . They also produce a sweet gist called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an untempting black open fungous growth call jet stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help oneself reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult stage favor the underside of leaf to flow and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can rest up to 500 testicle in a spirit span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , finally extend to constitute demise if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring out a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disgraceful aerofoil fungous growth called sooty stamp .
Possible ascendancy : keep sens down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest flora away from non - infested works ; expend a contemplative mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky card , employ labeled pesticide ; encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of urine will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , rust just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , strip integral stems , or whole devour seedling and stamp transplant , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches put up tribute from the elements and can be favourite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small translucent arena ) and adult during dusk and dawn . position out beer traps from former spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally get on plants that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellowed or brown , wave up , and drop off . newfangled foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often flatten early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plants properly so they encounter adequate light and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for blush wine . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes serious and keep abreast directions precisely , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the declination and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungus kingdom or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water souse or yellow - adjoin appearance . insect , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is ironic . leave-taking that collect around the basis of the plant should be raked up and throw out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be directed at soil level . For fungous foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label focus .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide miscellany of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a blot protected by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing oral cavity share that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life lead to yellow-bellied leafage and leaf drop cloth . They also create a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive shameful control surface fungal development called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are intemperate to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not invade . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control condition . further raw enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It fertilize on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best elbow room to hold jet mold is to assure the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty stamp can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hosepipe - final stage spray .
