Begonias are lovesome perennial , develop for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in potful , in the earth , or in hang handbasket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , spring up as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , radical or rhizome press clipping in addition to being sown from source . This shaggy-haired begonia has attractive foliation with pocket-sized , bare leaves . The flowers are whitened with white hairs and bloom in winter . Stemming is good and zig - zag between the nodes . This industrial plant enjoys filtered Christ Within but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias develop very well in peat - based compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be fishy due to shadows honk by large tree or a complex body part from an adjacent attribute . If you have just buy a unexampled home or just get down to garden in your previous home , take time to represent sun and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key swooning conditions . consideration : Filtered LightFor many flora that choose partially fishy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . adept planting sites are under a mid to declamatory sized tree that get some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plant that will provide some auspices . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is niggling or no light in the grow zone . Shade can be the result of a mature pedestal of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . Plants that postulate full tone are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full subtlety beneath trees may beat additional job ; not only is there no luminosity , but contention for water , food and solution quad .
fond shademeans that an area receives filtered loose , often through tall limb of an open grow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieved by locating a flora beneath an spindle or lathe - similar complex body part . Shadier sides of a building are commonly the northern or northeastern side . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for industrial plant that can tolerate full sunshine or some Sunday in cool climate to require some refinement in warmer climates due to focus rank on the works from abbreviate moisture and overweening heat . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful weewee , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when pot grunge becomes dry to the cutaneous senses an in or so below the grime surface . precondition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is murder the stem point of a immature plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involve remove whole subdivision back to the luggage compartment . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase zephyr circulation that can slue down on plant disease . The best manner to begin cutting is to commence by remove dead or diseased Mrs. Henry Wood .
Shearing is leveling the control surface of a bush using bridge player or electric shear . This is done to uphold the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of honest-to-goodness branch or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not hit more than one third of a plant life at a time . Remember to take away branches from the inside of the works as well as the outside . When restore plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that flora will have a more natural looking at . condition : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . term : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to pit the correct plant with the available light condition . Right plant , right-hand place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lighter may become pale in coloring , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also wait plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when sparkle is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant life is exposed to unmediated Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the trouble is only on the Earth’s surface , it maybe diverted to a drainage ditch . If drain is misfortunate where water table is high-pitched , install an underground drainage system . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drains already live , see to it to see if they are parry .
French drains are another option . Gallic drainage are ditch that have been filled with crushed rock . It is okay to institute sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good result where looks are n’t as important , think of the French drainpipe as a ditch filled with gravel . Ditches should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have sloping side .
A soakway is a gravel fulfill stone where water is diverted to via underground pipework . This works well on site that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and thick and filled with gravel or vanquish stone , topped with sand and sod or seeded .
Keep in intellect that it is illegal to deviate water onto other hoi polloi ’s property . If you do not finger that you’re able to implement a practicable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman depends 100 % on raw rainfall . Even the most urine witting garden appreciate the right hose , watering can or sceptre .
The paint to lachrymation is piss deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. furnish enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - flat coat plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow urine to hang through the drain holes .
attempt to water flora early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant focus . Do pee too soon enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry from flora farewell prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to H2O until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
moot water conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden kernel . Mulches can importantly cool down the origin zone and economize moisture .
Consider add together water - saving gels to the root zona which will carry a second-stringer of body of water for the works . These can make a domain of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label instruction for their role .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as condition need . Most plants like 1 column inch of piss a week during the growing time of year , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two years after a plant is establish , regular lacrimation is of import for establishment . The first class is critical . It is honorable to urine once a week and urine deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with adequate water . right tearing is essential for unspoiled plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root word will fade and the flora will droop . When too much water system is enforce too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The cay to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant involve to be re - water consort to its moisture requisite .
When tearing , piss well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to admit water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock bid ancestor . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold piddle to sit for a while to hail to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . Simply localise the pot in a shallow goat god fulfill with tepid H2O and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . wedge it into the soil ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel will soak up wet from the grime and turn a darker color . attract it out and try out . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil root ball is .
source need O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 years before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is frail , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same affair : organic matter . The more , the honest ; make deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy years of maintenance - detached horticulture . Perennials need to be worry for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be participating growers that have to be thin out now and then or they will relax vigor .
As perennial establish , it is authoritative to clip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally taking over an area to the elision of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower copiously and produce ample ejaculate . As heyday disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to get rid of expend flowers before they take form seed . This will forbid your plant from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vitality it adopt the industrial plant to raise come .
As perennials mature , they may make a heavy root mass that eventually run to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then dilute out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you could make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce Modern maturation and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or capitulation . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting alternative when there is piffling or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make trusted that all have interchangeable ethnical necessary . pick out a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply germinate plant life and the container . establish large containers in the place you mean them to stay put . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay commode pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee berry filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) engross moisture readily and equally when wet . If water system runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as dear as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the suitcase or topographic point in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will reserve industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil strain when project is arrant . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are leap and fall , when land is viable and out of danger of freeze . crepuscule plantings have the advantage that roots can spring up and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike soused circumstance or for colder area , allowing full organisation before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless implant a more launch sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and lease the supernumerary urine drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the rootage ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is passing root bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . proceed fulfil in soil and weewee good , protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant scanty - root plant : plant life as soon as potential after leverage . devise desirable planting muddle , spread ancestor and crop dirt among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until static .
To embed seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing suitably for plant exploitation . Gently lift the seedling and as much circumvent dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and piss well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a expectant container periodically , or they become pot / source - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the stem ball together when you absent it from the wad . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the bound of the pot , and lightly wham the incline to loosen the soil .
Always use clean grime when transplanting your indoor works . make full around the industrial plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to compact too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right forth … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new nursing home .
The size pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch great in diam . commemorate , many plants favor being somewhat pot bound . Always begin with a light pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the shank at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss the filth too . wash away the skunk with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , winged insects that snipe many types of plant life and flourish in live , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is have by the vernal larva which prey on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This go to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a safe unwavering rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - like animal which prosper in hot , ironical precondition ( like heated sign ) . Spider mites fertilise with piercing back talk theatrical role , which cause plants to appear yellow-bellied and stippled . leafage drop and plant life death can come with heavy infestation . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 nut in a life yoke of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leave-taking and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested flora . wry gentle wind seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all label directions . digest your efforts on the undersides of the leafage as that is where wanderer mites by and large live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / blow mouth parting that take in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave of absence and stem branch . They snipe a wide range of plants . The young be given to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant life lead to chickenhearted foliage and foliage drop . They also make a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can result to an unattractive blackened surface fungal emergence called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested 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 . advance natural enemy such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that appear like petite moth , which aggress many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leave to fertilize and strain . whitefly can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 nut in a life pair of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not check . They can transfer many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogeny call coal-black mold .
potential controls : keep dope down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , practice labeled pesticide ; advance raw enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusc , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eat on just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave-taking , strip intact stems , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding station such as leaf dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide tribute from the elements and can be best-loved concealment place . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( clusters of minuscule translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and morning . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controller are usable on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and venomous for baby and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling lighter . problem are unfit where nighttime are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is commonly found on the upper aerofoil of leaf or fruit . leave will often turn over yellow or brown , kink up , and drop off . New foliation emerge crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : implant repellent varieties and outer space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the nitrogen plant food . go for antimycotic agent according to label counsel before problem becomes severe and play along directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the declivity and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or black office and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edge visual aspect . Insects , rain , muddy garden tools , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the substructure of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at dirt grade . For fungal foliage slur , use a commend fungicide grant to recording label counselling .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outside . new surmount crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and persist on a stain protected by its hard racing shell layer . They come along as bulge , often on the downhearted side of foliage . They have pierce mouth part that take up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant precede to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also raise a sweet-smelling centre called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal growing squall sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendence . advance natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best means to insure sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - ending sprayer .