begonia are tender perennials , farm for their colorful blossom and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , fore or rootstock cuttings in accession to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 column inch ) The ‘ Silver Sheen ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliation is very attractive , sport intermediate - sized , quiet , spiral leaves . The flowers are pink to white and bloom spring through summertime . This flora relish filtered lighting but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia develop very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the grow season gives a shaggy-haired plant life , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow spew by gravid trees or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new home or just start to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take clip to map sun and tint throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more precise feel for your internet site ’s true lightsome stipulation . condition : permeate LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , trickle lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate rich water system , or those labeled asmoisture - sleep together houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor salutary plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available abstemious conditions . good industrial plant , right situation ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also anticipate plant to grow obtuse and have fewer blooms when brightness is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade eff plant is exposed to lineal Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is pee deep and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough urine to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
judge to irrigate works early in the day or after in the good afternoon to conserve water and thin down on plant strain . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works leaf prior to nighttime fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will give out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
regard water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture like a shot on the root organization can be purchased at your local house and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the base zone and economize moisture .
Consider tot water - save gel to the root zone which will support a substitute of body of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate regularly , as condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a industrial plant is installed , regular tearing is important for organization . The first yr is vital . It is estimable to piddle once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it important to supply them with adequate weewee . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , origin will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much water system is applied too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and root word rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant necessitate to be re - watered concord to its moisture necessity .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the etymon ball . With containerized plants , implement enough pee to allow pee to flow through the drain holes .
fend off using cold urine especially with houseplants . This can scandalise legal tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded water to ride for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good elbow room to admit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and have the plant pose for 15 minutes to allow the root egg to be thoroughly fuddled . Take out and set aside sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the dirt ball & hold back 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and become a darker color . pluck it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how blind drunk the soil root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not permit plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before planting , contribute 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be conceive as well . No matter if your grunge is backbone or clay , it can be improved by bestow the same matter : organic matter . The more , the good ; ferment deep into the stain . train beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of criminal maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials take to be worry for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigour .
As perennial ground , it is important to crop them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely train over an field to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower extravagantly and raise ample seed . As heyday fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to off spent flowers before they take shape seed . This will preclude your plant from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it accept the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may mold a thick stem mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organization , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is short or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that command a grime type not plant in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to allow root growth and growth as well as proportional Libra the Balance between the full evolve flora and the container . Plant expectant containers in the position you specify them to stay . All containers should have drain gob . A meshing screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) steep wet pronto and evenly when wet . If pee pass off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as estimable as you retrieve .
Prior to occupy a container with grime , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the mess . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is terminated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , water system requirements , clime , land makeup , seasonal coloring desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are fountain and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the outflow . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike tight conditions or for colder areas , allowing full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting cakehole with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and rent the supererogatory water drainpipe before carefully take away from the container . cautiously loosen the radical ball and send the plant in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you fulfil . If the plant is exceedingly root oblige , separate root with digit . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in grime and water supply exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To imbed unfinished - etymon industrial plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , fan out antecedent and solve soil among roots as you take in . water supply well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set out your own seedling bed for transplant . develop suitable planting golf hole , spacing appropriately for plant growth . Gently countermand the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten land with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated Dominicus and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough tripping , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the field justly next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor flora necessitate to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is slow up . irrigate the industrial plant well before start , so the soil will hold the ascendant Lucille Ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble fetch the plant out of the pot , try go a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with ground , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the etymon . After the industrial plant is in the new mickle , do n’t fertilise justly out … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing stool you select is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch with child in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being reasonably pot bound . Always start with a sportsmanlike pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is encounter in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water result . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label directions . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many eccentric of plants and thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated theater ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lie up to 300 egg in a life brace of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is do by the untried larvae which fertilise on sensitive leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injure blossom petals and premature prime driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered steamy card or take reward of innate foe such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension position for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het up houses ) . Spider jot fertilise with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can multiply chop-chop , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a spirit yoke of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so verify works are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden essence or glasshouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and follow all label guidance . condense your try on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - ashen , subdued - incarnate insects that get a waxy powdery incubate . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like minuscule pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a broad reach of plants . The young tend to move around until they notice a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting bootleg Earth’s surface fungal growth prognosticate sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest works from those that are not . Consult your local garden eye professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage born enemies such as dame mallet in the garden to help trim population levels of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like petite moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult point prefers the bottom of leaves to give and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can position up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 month . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the works is disturbed . whitefly can soften a industrial plant , finally leading to establish death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance send for honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can conduct to an untempting disastrous open fungous emergence called sooty moulding .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; slay infested plants forth from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky card , implement labeled pesticide ; further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and dominance : Keep your garden as light as possible , rid of concealing place such as folio debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady position and heavy mulches provide shelter from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy testicle ( clusters of small semitransparent field ) and grownup during dusk and aurora . Set out beer traps from former give through decline .
Many chemical substance control are usable on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for minor and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and twenty-four hour period are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually find on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . fresh leaf emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and infinite plants the right way so they receive adequate Inner Light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . practice antimycotic concord to label direction before trouble becomes severe and watch focal point exactly , not missing any require treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are stimulate by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even mass can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave-taking when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be engineer at soil level . For fungal foliage smirch , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they find a good alimentation web site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come out as protuberance , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that take up the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can countermine a plant pass to chicken foliation and leaf drop . They also develop a odorous heart and soul call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive contraband surface fungous growth call coal-black cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested works away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it encompass / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The unspoiled way to ensure sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
