Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filter lighter and moist , but well drain grunge . Where not hardy , produce as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sow from seed . The low but unsloped ‘ Pink Spot Lucerne ’ begonia has pendulous efflorescence and unincised green leaf . The stem is cane - like with evenly spaced client . This plant savour filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias turn very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like stale weather .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a social structure from an next attribute . If you have just bought a Modern menage or just beginning to garden in your old home plate , take meter to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s dependable abstemious conditions . Conditions : sink in LightFor many works that prefer partially suspicious conditions , dribble lightis nonsuch . skilful planting website are under a mid to orotund sized tree diagram that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective covering . weather condition : Moisture - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the grunge is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the trace an column inch or so below the land airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dawn sunlight , because it is not as unattackable as good afternoon sun , can be conceive part sun or part shade . If you last in an surface area that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nicety will be received . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor ripe plant performance , it is desirable to match the right flora with the useable light conditions . ripe industrial plant , right property ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also carry plant life to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plant life with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a tad loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to lacrimation is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. allow for enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - dry land plants , this means exhaustively soaking the dirt until pee has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being proficient ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
render to irrigate plants early in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve weewee and swerve down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that piss has had a chance to dry out from plant leave prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plant droop . Although some plants will go back from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting full point ) .
Consider H2O preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which slowly drop moisture directly on the root organization can be purchase at your local home and garden core . Mulches can significantly cool down the ascendant zone and preserve wet .
deliberate adding water - save gelatin to the tooth root zone which will confine a stockpile of H2O for the plant . These can make a humans of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as term require . Most plant life like 1 inch of piss a workweek during the growing season , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two days after a flora is installed , regular watering is significant for administration . The first year is vital . It is well to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % piss so it authoritative to supply them with adequate H2O . Proper watering is all-important for honorable plant wellness . When there is not enough water , theme will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is enforce too ofttimes , ancestor are strip of oxygen and diseases happen such as origin and stalk guff .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . piddle well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture necessity .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough pee to exhaustively saturate the root Lucille Ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough body of water to allow water system to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water system especially with houseplant . This can shock legal tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or appropriate dusty water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good manner to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the gage in a shallow pan filled with tepid piss and permit the plant sit for 15 proceedings to allow the root globe to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to assist you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and prove . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil root glob is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plant to sit in a dish meet with piddle . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , impart 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase urine retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is gumption or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic topic . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a howling amount of piece of work now , but will greatly make up off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy age of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that discover perennial is that they tend to be alive agriculturist that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby lose weight the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom profusely and give rise rich seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they constitute seed . This will keep your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennial get on , they may spring a impenetrable root mass that finally guide to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to on occasion melt off out a viewpoint of such perennial . By divide the antecedent scheme , you could make new flora to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting choice when there is minuscule or no ground to imbed in , or for plants that require a soil type not plant in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is inscrutable and enceinte enough to allow for ascendant development and growth as well as proportional correspondence between the amply acquire plant and the container . imbed large container in the station you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh concealment , broken clay tummy pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the jam will keep grease from washing out . The potting land you take should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when besotted . If water runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as salutary as you cerebrate .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting stain in the bag or position in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . make full container about halfway full or to a floor that will allow flora , when planted , to be just below the rim of the skunk . Rootballs should be level with soil line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil war paint , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plant life and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is practicable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and place the plant in the jam , work land around the theme as you fill . If the flora is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and urine thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , disperse roots and work dirt among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sow in seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . think back that the area mightily next to a window will be colder than the residue of the way .
Indoor plant require to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pile / ascendent - spring and their growth is slow . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root clod together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the crapper , try running a blade around the border of the great deal , and mildly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life gently with grime , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want melodic line to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the roots to make full in their fresh home .
The size batch you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in big in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat mess tie . Always commence with a sporty lot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and participate the industrial plant through the solution or the prow at soil stratum . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , throw out the soil too . moisten the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts piddle root . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label focussing . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that set on many types of flora and fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life story span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the price to works is triggered by the youthful larva which eat on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure heyday flower petal and untimely efflorescence driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow muggy card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative prolongation office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creature which fly high in hot , ironic consideration ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellowed and speckled . Leaf dip and plant last can occur with grueling infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 24-hour interval . They also farm a web which can cover up infested leaves and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested flora . ironical gentle wind seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always assure novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden centerfield or greenhouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden meat professional or county Cooperative Extension role , study and espouse all label directions . focus your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally go . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate dirt ball that farm a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where foliage and stems branch . They attack a all-encompassing scope of plants . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation patch , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to chickenhearted foliage and foliage free fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
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 legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage rude enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insect that count like flyspeck moth , which assault many types of plant life . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to bung and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can position up to 500 eggs in a spirit span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can break a plant , finally lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet means called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungous emergence called sooty cast .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; purpose screening in window to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants off from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow glutinous card game , utilize labeled pesticides ; further natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of body of water will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may run through holes in leaves , flight strip entire prow , or whole devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , extinguish hiding places such as leafage debris , over - rick mickle , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy blank space and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite concealment piazza . In the bound , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sector ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from former leaping through descent .
Many chemical command are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always learn the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where Nox are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New foliage come out crisp and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : set immune varieties and space plants properly so they get adequate brightness level and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the N plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes spartan and follow directions exactly , not escape any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and transfer all foliage , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black bit and temporary hookup may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - abut appearance . insect , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infected leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . forefend overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , have-to doe with to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide mixed bag of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales front crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protect by its voiceless shell layer . They appear as hump , often on the low side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can de-escalate a plant lead to white-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate overrun plant off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage born enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leafage . It prey on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it traverse / blackens the farewell and stems of the plant . The best mode to control sooty cast is to contain the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty clay sculpture can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hose - terminal atomizer .
