begonia are affectionate perennial , grown for their colorful heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the dry land , or in hanging baskets in filtered Light Within and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ South Pacific , ’ is vertical with succulent shank . The dual flowers are everblooming and blood-red in colour . The green leaf are burnished , smooth and ovate . This plant can tolerate full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . pinch point and pruning outer stems in the grow time of year gives a bushier works .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a raw habitation or just beginning to garden in your older base , take clip to represent sun and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s honest light consideration . consideration : filter LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will provide some aegis . Conditions : Moisture - sleep together HouseplantsHouseplants that expect ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil aerofoil . weather : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part ghost . If you be in an area that does not get much vivid sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 substructure of an eastern or western photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , good place ! works which do not receive sufficient Inner Light may become pallid in gloss , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor works with lamp . plant can also receive too much luminousness . If a refinement loving plant is exposed to verbatim sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause farewell to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to lachrymation is piddle deep and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root lump . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , practice enough water to allow water to flow through the drain kettle of fish .
stress to irrigate plants early in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to maintain weewee and cut down on works stress . Do piss betimes enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime crepuscle . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plant will croak if they droop too much ( when they accomplish the permanent wilting point ) .
view water conservation method acting such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the root geographical zone and economise wet .
Consider adding weewee - saving colloidal gel to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful experimental condition . Be certain to trace label directions for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and water regularly , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water supply a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular tearing is important for brass . The first class is critical . It is well to water once a week and water system deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % weewee so it significant to furnish them with fair to middling water . right watering is of the essence for respectable flora wellness . When there is not enough water , beginning will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as stem and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water concord to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough urine to soundly impregnate the root ball . With containerized works , apply enough water to appropriate piss to flow through the drainage holes .
annul using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender ascendant . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold H2O to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to countenance any harmful Cl in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoid slop water on the leaves of sensitive plant life . just place the tidy sum in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid piss and lease the industrial plant sit for 15 minute to allow the root ball to be thoroughly lactating . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the grease and turn a darker color . tear it out and prove . This will give you an mind of how sloshed the soil root chunk is .
Roots necessitate O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase water system holding and drainage . If ground composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be regard as well . No matter if your land is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the good ; shape late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to dress them back and thin out them out at times . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the elision of other industrial plant , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring forth plentiful ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your flora from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable Energy Department it takes the flora to develop come .
As perennial mature , they may spring a slow beginning stack that eventually result to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to implant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for works that require a stain type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have interchangeable ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and gravid enough to allow root maturation and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant prominent containers in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher burnt umber filter localize over the hole will keep soil from wash off out . The potting dirt you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture readily and equally when wet . If water supply runs off stain upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a storey that will allow plants , when engraft , to be just below the flange of the sess . Rootballs should be level with territory line when labor is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by think sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , piddle demand , clime , soil makeup , seasonal coloring material desired , and lieu of other garden plant life and Tree .
The respectable times to plant are outpouring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet circumstance or for colder area , grant full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To engraft container - farm industrial plant : set planting cakehole with appropriate profoundness and infinite between . Water the flora exhaustively and let the spare water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loose the ascendent ball and place the plant life in the hole , working soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in stain and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . machinate suitable planting kettle of fish , unfold ancestor and function soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To implant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . fix suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for industrial plant development . mildly raise the seedling and as much wall land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firming stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and weewee regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are capable to render it : that it will have enough lite , quad , and a temperature it will like . think back that the field right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become weed / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you dispatch it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the pot , try out run a brand around the bound of the pot , and gently wham the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grease when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want aviation to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to replete in their new home .
The size raft you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant favor being jolly pot jump . Always take off with a fresh pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most stain and enters the plant through the stem or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far go ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , take away it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 character water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , accord to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , fly insects that assault many types of industrial plant and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 bollock in a biography span of 45 day without sexual union . Most of the impairment to plants is because of the young larva which flow on affectionate leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flush petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered sticky card or take reward of innate enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a in force steady rain shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which prosper in raging , dry shape ( like heated home ) . Spider jot tip with pierce mouth part , which cause plant to appear yellow and specked . Leaf fall and industrial plant death can fall out with heavy infestation . wanderer mite can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life story straddle of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your travail on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites in the main live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that make a waxy powdery wrap up . They have piercing / sucking oral fissure parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften attend like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a all-encompassing orbit of industrial plant . The young lean to move around until they incur a suited alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a works lead to jaundiced foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . promote born enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy microbe . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that front like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult stage opt the underside of leaf to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can de-escalate a works , finally run to plant death if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a sweet meat called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive black surface fungal growth squall pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use of goods and services screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards , apply pronounce pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may deplete holes in leaf , airstrip entire stems , or whole devour seedling and ship’s boat transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspect place and heavy mulch ply protection from the elements and can be preferred hiding shoes . In the spring , police for and destruct ball ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer traps from late springiness through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and pets ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally see on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . problem are worse where Nox are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn chicken or brown , kink up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : embed repellent varieties and space plants in good order so they receive fair to middling light and atmosphere circulation . Always H2O from below , keep water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and come directions exactly , not miss any require treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or rubble in the crepuscle and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water dowse or yellow - inch appearing . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at filth point . For fungous leaf smear , use a recommended fungicide according to label steering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad potpourri of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good alimentation website . The grownup female then miss their branch and stay on a spot protected by its punishing shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth contribution that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a angelical substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can result to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once show they are difficult to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . advance natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave of absence . It fertilise on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to ascertain sooty mold is to command the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
