Begonias are cranky perennials , spring up for their colorful peak and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the earth , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain territory . Where not sturdy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being seed from ejaculate . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inches ) The ‘ Princess of Hanover ’ begonia farm from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large coiling leaves that are often colored and model . This flora enjoys filter out light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia produce very well in peat - based compost also . B. ‘ Queen of Hanover ’ mutant . Likes humidity . Does not care inhuman weather . Pinching tips and pruning prohibited stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier works , undecomposed for hang basketful . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shade patterns modify during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow vomit by large trees or a structure from an conterminous holding . If you have just buy a new menage or just commence to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s dependable sluttish condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor partly funny condition , filtered lightis ideal . skilful planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that countenance some light through their subdivision or beneath magniloquent plants that will leave some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take copious water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when potting soil becomes dry to the signature an in or so below the territory aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as stiff as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other surface area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good industrial plant execution , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available clean conditions . Right plant , right position ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also ask plants to produce slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to supply supplemental ignition for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also take in too much luminance . If a shade hump plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or do folio to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the theme testicle . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to permit water system to flow through the drain hole .
attempt to water plants early on in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that piss has had a luck to dry out from plant leaf prior to night pin . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold scheme which slowly drip moisture directly on the solution system of rules can be purchased at your local plate and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the theme zone and economise moisture .
Consider impart water - pull through gelatin to the rootage zona which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to be label direction for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as weather want . Most plants like 1 in of water system a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for organisation . The first year is critical . It is good to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to provide them with adequate water . Proper lachrymation is crucial for ripe plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root word will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water supply is apply too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stalk rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the origin egg . With containerized plants , utilize enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using stale water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock ship’s boat antecedent . Fill watering can with tepid pee or allow moth-eaten water to sit for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good elbow room to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some flora are well irrigated by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This ward off splash water on the leaves of raw plant . merely place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the plant sit for 15 second to let the root ball to be soundly crocked . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minute . The joggle will take in moisture from the soil and turn a dark colour . rive it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots require O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a discus fill with piddle . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water system retention and drain . If dirt composition is washy , a stratum of topsoil should be think as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; do work deep into the dirt . cook beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been plant . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy old age of sustentation - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be melt off out now and then or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin out them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the elision of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby subjugate the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many metal money also blossom copiously and produce ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent prime before they form semen . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to get ejaculate .
As perennial suppurate , they may spring a dense root muckle that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a point of view of such perennials . By separate the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir new growth and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a petty homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to set in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have alike cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and enceinte enough to set aside ascendant development and ontogeny as well as proportional balance wheel between the fully developed plant and the container . found heavy container in the place you signify them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , broken clay good deal pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep territory from rinse out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your grime may not be as practiced as you intend .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a storey that will countenance plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and subtlety through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , dirt physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best time to implant are natural spring and evenfall , when soil is executable and out of peril of frost . surrender planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top development as in the springtime . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike sloshed consideration or for colder domain , set aside full brass before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - get plant life : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and outer space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess piddle drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and locate the plant life in the hole , lick soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely etymon bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant scanty - root flora : works as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among source as you occupy in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials give rise self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplanting . organise worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life evolution . Gently uprise the seedling and as much besiege dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough scant , space , and a temperature it will like . commend that the area mightily next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / source - bound and their growth is slow up . Water the plant well before start , so the stain will hold the root egg together when you remove it from the commode . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the pot , hear running a leaf blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always apply fresh grime when transfer your indoor plant . sate around the plant lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need line to be capable to get to the roots . After the works is in the new mess , do n’t fertilise powerful away … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their novel home .
The size mountain you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch cracking in diameter . commend , many plants favour being passably potful bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and record the industrial plant through the etymon or the base at dirt level . 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 droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the ground too . moisten the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solvent . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to label direction . Consult a professional for a legal testimonial of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare low , winged insects that assault many type of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can dwell up to 300 bollock in a sprightliness dyad of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is due to the young larva which feed in on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to deformed growth , wound bloom petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky board or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good stiff shower of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creatures which flourish in hot , dry condition ( like heated planetary house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to seem sensationalistic and stippled . folio drop and plant death can occur with profound infestations . Spider soupcon can reproduce quickly , as a female person can place up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 solar day . They also produce a web which can breed infested parting and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry aura seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant life are on a regular basis watered , especially those favor in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label instruction . reduce your efforts on the bottom of the leave as that is where spider mites generally survive . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover up . They have pierce / sucking mouth component part that suckle the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton plant and they run to congregate where leaves and stems leg . They assail a broad range of plants . The untested run to move around until they come up a desirable eating speckle , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that calculate like tiny moth , which snipe many type of plants . The vaporize grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 ballock in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to implant death if they are not find out . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a angelical nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting ignominious aerofoil fungal growing called pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; take away infested plants off from non - infested plants ; apply a ruminative mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage innate enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insect . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat pickle in leaves , strip intact stem , or entirely devour seedlings and ship’s boat transplant , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as potential , get rid of hiding place such as leaf dust , over - turned throne , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed places and heavy mulch offer protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the springiness , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer sand trap from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market place , but can be venomous and deadly for nestling and pets ; take care when using them - always translate the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly regain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and day are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often reverse yellow or chocolate-brown , loop up , and drop off . New foliation emerges ruckle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and space plants by rights so they encounter adequate visible light and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and move out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the capitulation and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungus kingdom or bacterium . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rainfall , foul garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected folio when the plant is dry . Leaves that hoard around the base of the works should be rake up and disposed of . nullify overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage berth , use a recommend fungicide according to label counselling .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , link to mealy microbe , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they regain a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come out as bumps , often on the small side of meat of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . scale can subvert a plant head to lily-livered foliation and leaf dip . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can result to an untempting black aerofoil fungous maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to contain . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not overrun . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their restraint . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty modeling is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it address / sear the leaves and stanch of the flora . The best way to control coal-black mold is to command the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash out away with a hosiery - remainder sprayer .
