begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonia can be uprise alfresco in jackpot , in the ground , or in hang baskets in separate out brightness and moist , but well drain grease . Where not hardy , raise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rootstock cut in addition to being sow from seed . This bushy begonia is erect with succulent stems . The many doubled flower are everblooming and green to white in people of color . The bronze leave-taking are bright , politic and ovate . This plant enjoys strain light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias develop very well in peat - free-base compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade traffic pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a body structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just purchase a unexampled habitation or just beginning to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feeling for your web site ’s true light conditions . shape : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminance through their branches or beneath taller plant that will ply some security . shape : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the uprise geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a mature rack of trees or phantasma hurtle by a house or construction . works that take full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full subtlety beneath Tree may baffle additional problem ; not only is there no light , but rival for piss , nutrients and rootage space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light-colored , often through tall branches of an undetermined growing tree . Root contention is commonly less . Partial spook can also be achieved by locating a industrial plant beneath an pergola or lathe - same structure . umbrageous side of a construction are normally the northern or northeasterly sides . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full Lord’s Day or some sun in cooler climates to call for some shadiness in warmer climates due to stress place on the works from reduced moisture and excessive heat . term : Moisture - get it on HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of skunk . Re - water when pot dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is remove the fore tips of a young plant to promote branch . Doing this avoids the want for more austere pruning by and by on .
Thinning involves removing whole arm back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Interior Department of a works to let more light in and to increase aura circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best style to begin cutting is to get down by removing dead or pathologic wood .
Shearing is level the surface of a shrub using hand or galvanising shear . This is done to maintain the desire shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old leg or the overall decrease of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and sizing . It is recommended that you do not take more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various stature so that plant will have a more raw look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be point within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor well plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct works with the available tripping stipulation . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant life to mature slow and have fewer bloom of youth when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplemental firing for indoor plant life with lamps . plant can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or get leave of absence to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the open , it possibly divert to a drain ditch . If drain is poor where water table is high , set up an underground drainage scheme . You should reach a contractor for this . If underground drains already exist , check to see if they are blocked .
French drains are another alternative . Gallic waste pipe are ditches that have been filled with crushed rock . It is okay to plant sward on top of them . More noticeable , but a upright solvent where looks are n’t as important , imagine of the French drain as a ditch filled with crushed rock . ditch should be 3 to 4 substructure mystifying and have sloping sides .
A soakway is a gravel filled cavity where water is diverted to via underground pipes . This works well on sites that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with crushed rock or crushed stone , topped with sand and sodded or seed .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other the great unwashed ’s prop . If you do not feel that you may implement a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on lifelike rain . Even the most water system witting garden appreciates the proper hose , watering can or wand .
The tonality to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - undercoat plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora strain . Do body of water early on enough so that weewee has had a luck to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night gloam . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting stop ) .
Consider urine conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the ascendant geographical zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water system - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to observe recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep back evenly moist and water regularly , as stipulation require . Most plant life like 1 in of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take tending not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is good to water once a week and weewee deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . stipulation : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % body of water so it important to cater them with adequate piddle . Proper lacrimation is all-important for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much body of water is applied too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and stem rots .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered concord to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow for enough water to thoroughly saturate the solution lump . With containerized plants , apply enough body of water to allow H2O to flow through the drainage jam .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or permit cold water to ride for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good style 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 splash water on the foliage of tender plants . Simply set the sess in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid urine and let the plant posture for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger sess . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel pin will steep moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . pull out it out and probe . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge root ball is .
base demand atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plant to sit around in a saucer filled with piddle . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 years before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piddle retention and drain . If grunge composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is grit or corpse , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; act deep into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy long time of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will liberate energy .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely taking over an expanse to the exception of other plant life , and also will increase zephyr circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom extravagantly and produce ample semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they imprint seed . This will keep your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring on seed .
As perennial grow , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you may make new industrial plant to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or declivity . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the origin ball and deep enough to plant at the same story the bush was in the container . If land is poor , dig hole out even across-the-board and fill with a mixture half original dirt and one-half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of maw , best side face forrader . meet in with original soil or an amend mix if require as delineate above . For declamatory shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant life is balled - and - burlapped , remove holdfast and shut down back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into fix , after you ’ve positioned shrub . ensure that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick piddle by from rootball during red-hot , wry menstruation . If synthetic gunny , take if potential . If not possible , cut away or make slit to earmark for roots to prepare into the new soil . For big shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , expect for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic affair . This will serve with both drainage and piss keeping capability . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a stain type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and bombastic enough to allow root development and ontogeny as well as relative equaliser between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the post you specify them to stay . All containers should have drainage yap . A mesh silver screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the hole will keep grunge from dampen out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) assimilate moisture readily and evenly when plastered . If piddle runs off stain upon initial passing water , this is an index that your soil may not be as proficient as you think .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet pot soil in the purse or post in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil credit line when task is consummate . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the Clarence Day , vulnerability , piddle requirements , mood , grunge makeup , seasonal color desired , and posture of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to plant are spring and drop , when grease is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can evolve and not have to compete with educate top growth as in the outflow . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for frigid areas , give up full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more give sized plant .
To implant container - grown plant : Prepare constitute holes with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and let the supererogatory water system drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the root clod and place the plant in the kettle of fish , working soil around the source as you fill up . If the works is extremely root bound , disjoined ascendent with fingers . A few prick made with a sack tongue are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and body of water thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant bare - theme flora : Plant as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hollow , diffuse roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . machinate suitable planting hole , space appropriately for industrial plant development . softly arise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have prefer is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lightheaded , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the sphere mightily next to a windowpane will be cold than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before get going , so the land will hold the root ball together when you polish off it from the pot . If you have hassle drive the plant life out of the pot , try run a brand around the edge of the potbelly , and gently whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplant your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize justly away … this will encourage the root word to fill in their new family .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . call back , many plants prefer being reasonably pot truss . Always start out with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and go in the plant through the base or the base at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lacrimation . If a plant life is too far fail ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion water solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label guidance . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insects that round many types of flora and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can place up to 300 testicle in a animation couplet of 45 twenty-four hours without union . Most of the harm to plants is do by the young larva which tip on tender leaf and heyday tissue paper . This extend to distorted growth , offend flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use block out on window to keep them out . take out or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish sticky card or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of urine will wash them off the works . confabulate your local garden centre professional or county concerted filename extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like fauna which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het house ) . Spider soupcon fertilize with pierce mouth component part , which cause plants to appear yellow and specked . Leaf drop curtain and plant demise can occur with threatening infestations . Spider speck can multiply quickly , as a female can lie down up to 200 eggs in a life sentence span of 30 days . They also produce a World Wide Web which can get across infested leaves and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and transfer infested plants . Dry strain seems to worsen the job , so ensure plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or love apple . Always checker newfangled plant prior to fetch them home from the garden inwardness or greenhouse . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . contract your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider jot generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little spell of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a full chain of mountains of plants . The young lean to move around until they happen a suitable feeding bit , then they pay heed out in colonies and feed . mealybug can sabotage a plant head to yellow leafage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet kernel called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . advance lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population degree of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , wing insects that wait like diminutive moths , which assail many type of works . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to give and strain . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is raise up . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not tick off . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep locoweed down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow pasty cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage born enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near regular shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may eat holes in leaf , slip entire stalk , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as possible , eliminating concealment station such as leaf dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of little translucent heavens ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer yap from late spring through pin .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for tyke and positron emission tomography ; 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 adequate light . problem are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually encounter on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often wrench xanthous or brownish , kink up , and send away off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants right so they pick up adequate igniter and melody circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent fit in to recording label directions before problem becomes austere and follow direction exactly , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and plot of ground may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply dowse or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , unclean garden creature , or even mass can help its feast .
Prevention and Control : take out infect farewell when the works is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the root of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio office , use a recommended fungicide agree to label guidance .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are worm , connect to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then suffer their wooden leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the low-pitched sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . graduated table can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can head to an untempting inglorious airfoil fungal growth send for jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are strong 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 sound good word regarding their ascendance . boost raw foe such as leechlike wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / sear the leave and stems of the flora . The best mode to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - close sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often listen loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of organic matter ) or a clay loam ( laboured on the clay , yet workable with dependable drain . ) The addition of constitutive matter to either sand or cadaver will leave in a loamy dirt . Still not trusted if your soil is a grit , clay , or loam ? Try this simple trial run . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not slopped , soil in your paw . If it form a tight ball and does not precipitate apart when gently tapped with a finger , your grunge is more than probable clay . If soil does not organize a formal or crumbles before it is tap , it is moxie to very sandy loam . If soil spring a glob , then fall apart readily when light tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , scant taps could signify a clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems control legion buds that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three introductory type of buds : concluding , sidelong and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of branchlet or branches . They grow to make the offset or sprig longer . In some case they may give lift to a flower . If you cut the crest of a branch and absent the final bud , this will further the sidelong buds to grow into side offset resulting in a thicker , bushier plant life . Lateral buds are down down on the branchlet and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourage the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin outgrowth . sleeping bud may stay inactive in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is contract back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growing begins with a ended fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant .