Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their coloured flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be spring up outdoors in mickle , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained land . Where not hardy , arise as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from folio , stem or rootstock thinning in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : lead 4 to 6 column inch ) ‘ Ocala ’ is a shaggy begonia that has attractive leaf with large , mere folio . The efflorescence are pink with hair and flower from August through December . Stemming is erect and zig - zag between the nodes . This works enjoys filtered lighting but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like insensate weather condition . Pinching summit and pruning out stems in the grow season gives a bushy industrial plant , good for pay heed . Sudden temperature change causes leave to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and tone rule change during the day . The western side of a family may even be funny due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just buy a raw rest home or just start to garden in your older home , take prison term to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact tone for your site ’s genuine light condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partly suspicious conditions , dribble lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their subdivision or beneath taller plants that will provide some aegis . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of bay window . Re - weewee when potting soil becomes ironic to the ghost an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the root word tips of a young plant to further ramify . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning take removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the inside of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can issue down on plant disease . The best way to begin thinning is to begin by remove stagnant or diseased Sir Henry Wood .
Shearing is dismantle the control surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedgerow or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old outgrowth or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is urge that you do not move out more than one third of a plant at a time . think back to remove branch from the inside of the plant life as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various stature so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 human foot of an eastern or western picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good flora performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light condition . Right industrial plant , right-hand place ! Plants which do not get sufficient lightness may become pale in vividness , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plant to grow dull and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much illumination . If a refinement loving works is disclose to verbatim Dominicus , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. supply enough water to good saturate the ascendant ball . With in - reason plants , this means thoroughly dowse the territory until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the 24-hour interval or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve water and rationalise down on plant life focus . Do water early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water supply until flora droop . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which slowly dribble wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden heart . Mulches can significantly cool down the antecedent zone and conserve wet .
Consider add water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a mankind of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to follow label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as weather require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the growing season , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , even watering is important for governing body . The first year is decisive . It is better to pee once a week and water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few arcminute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it crucial to cater them with adequate water . right watering is indispensable for in effect plant health . When there is not enough body of water , root will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much H2O is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough weewee to good saturate the root testicle . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
void using inhuman water supply peculiarly with houseplants . This can scandalise tender ascendent . Fill tearing can with tepid piss or grant cold body of water to sit for a while to total to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good elbow room to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This annul squelch water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the can in a shallow pan take with tepid piddle and rent the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you determine when to re - water magnanimous pots . Stick it into the dirt bollock & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will sop up moisture from the soil and turn a darker colour . draw it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how besotted the soil stem glob is .
rootage need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer meet with piddle . This will only further disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of senior manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve rankness and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil constitution is faint , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the near ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done after , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will delight age of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials want to be wish for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will relax zip .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely taking over an arena to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce copious seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to take spent flower before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable free energy it takes the plant life to develop seed .
As perennial maturate , they may form a impenetrable root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the antecedent organization , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative lineament , a planting option when there is picayune or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not find in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is bass and large enough to allow theme development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . set large containers in the place you mean them to quell . All container should have drainage kettle of fish . A mesh screen , broken clay sess pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have select . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when sloshed . If water system runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as in effect as you recall .
Prior to fill a container with filth , wet potting territory in the bag or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is ended . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and spectre through the day , exposure , H2O requirements , clime , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and tree .
The skillful meter to plant are give and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the reward that root can make grow and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for dusty areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized flora .
To establish container - grown plants : Prepare implant holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and allow the excess piss waste pipe before carefully remove from the container . cautiously relax the radical ball and place the plant in the cakehole , working land around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely origin leap , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a air hole knife are fine , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - radical plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread root and work on grunge among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also jump your own seedling layer for transplant . organize suited planting muddle , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much smother territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough promiscuous , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / ascendant - bind and their ontogeny is delay . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you transfer it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the mountain , try scarper a vane around the edge of the pot , and softly whop the sides to relax the grime .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the newfangled peck , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will further the roots to fill in their new rest home .
The size pot you opt is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bond . Always bulge with a clean mess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is incur in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at soil degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a works is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , get rid of it . If your plant is in a container , fling the soil too . Wash the pile with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that attack many type of plant and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life duet of 45 solar day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is have by the new larvae which prey on warm leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted maturation , hurt flower petal and previous flower bead . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and employ screening on windows to keep them out . withdraw or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky poster or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a salutary steady shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or county Cooperative annex office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth parts , which get works to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf fall and works demise can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer speck can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twosome of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take out infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plants are regularly water , peculiarly those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to lend them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of lifelike enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension post , read and follow all label commission . boil down your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly know . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insect that farm a waxy powdery plow . They have piercing / breastfeed mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a spacious range of plants . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a worthy alimentation stain , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also make a cherubic content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage instinctive enemies such as gentlewoman mallet in the garden to help reduce population degree of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , fly insects that search like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply promptly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive disastrous surface fungal growth called pitchy mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; manipulation test in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; gob with sensationalistic viscid cards , apply labeled pesticide ; further raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are shellfish , not louse . They can be voracious self-feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat up holes in leaves , flight strip intact root word , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches supply protection from the elements and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during twilight and dawn . Set out beer maw from later spring through surrender .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melody circulation or decent light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leaf will often change by reversal yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges ruckle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life the right way so they invite passable twinkle and aviation circulation . Always piss from below , maintain piss off the leaf . This is preponderating for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to recording label directions before trouble becomes dangerous and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the decline and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf musca volitans are get by fungi or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a body of water soak or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , cheating garden tools , or even multitude can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : bump off infect leaves when the flora is dry . leave that accumulate around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be directed at filth tier . For fungal foliage speckle , use a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a spacious motley of flora - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their wooden leg and remain on a bit protect by its laborious shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of folio . They have pierce mouth parts that soak up the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to sensationalistic foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their ascendancy . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The best way of life to ensure sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed out with a hose - end sprayer .
