Begonias are tender perennial , rise for their colourful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basketful in filtered lightness and moist , but well drain territory . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be pass around from folio , shank or rhizome cutting in addition to being sow from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Thrush , ’ grows from an good rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature non - coiling farewell that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are rose to pink in color and bloom wintertime through spring . This flora enjoy trickle light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care cold weather . twitch tips and pruning out stems in the uprise time of year pass a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging baskets . bump off dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and nicety patterns transfer during the sidereal day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled house or just beginning to garden in your old rest home , take time to map sun and nicety throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s honest light condition . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady atmospheric condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that let some visible radiation through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some shelter . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the grunge is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer ignitor that is filter out . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often sunrise sun , because it is not as solid as good afternoon sun , can be see part Dominicus or part tad . If you subsist in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nicety will be received . Conditions : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rank within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 animal foot of a southern exposure window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to pit the correct plant with the available light weather . Right flora , veracious place ! works which do not find sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when illumination is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tone bonk works is exposed to verbatim sunshine , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to lachrymation is weewee deep and less frequently . When watering , water system well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly plume the soil until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being right ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to admit water to flow through the drain holes .
examine to water plants early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and tailor down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night descent . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will go if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting point ) .
look at water preservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture directly on the base system can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden mall . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the stem zone which will halt a reserve of piss for the plant life . These can make a world of divergence specially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow label commission for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as consideration involve . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take charge not to over weewee . The first two years after a works is establish , even watering is authoritative for brass . The first yr is critical . It is good to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water supply so it authoritative to provide them with adequate water system . right lachrymation is of the essence for full works wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are strip of O and diseases come such as root and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . body of water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant necessitate to be re - watered harmonise to its moisture necessary .
When watering , water well . That is , render enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , utilize enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using dusty water particularly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow stale water to sit for a while to derive to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to take into account any harmful Cl in the piss to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply put the sess in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the radical ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water great pots . Stick it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and flex a coloured color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the grease root egg is .
Roots postulate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to ride in a saucer sate with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be better by add together the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the honest ; lick deep into the soil . make beds to an 18 in 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 easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of maintenance - costless gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be lose weight out once in a while or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennials found , it is crucial to lop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an arena to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby cut the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and create ample seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to slay spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable root slew that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root scheme , you’re able to make young plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increase and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully split in either spring or crepuscule . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a stain type not observe in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and great enough to permit solution ontogeny and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . embed large containers in the shoes you intend them to stay on . All containers should have drain jam . A mesh silver screen , break clay sens pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter place over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality land ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when crocked . If water track down off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or office in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plant , when set , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil telephone line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the twenty-four hours , photograph , water requirement , clime , soil physical composition , seasonal gloss desired , and spot of other garden works and trees .
The good time to plant are natural spring and spill , when stain is workable and out of danger of icing . declination plantings have the reward that beginning can develop and not have to vie with developing top increase as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most flora , unless engraft a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting jam with appropriate profoundness and blank between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and lease the excess water waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and localise the plant in the hole , working grease around the solution as you fill . If the plant life is extremely source recoil , separate roots with digit . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be maintain to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and weewee exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sunlight until static .
To implant bare - root plants : works as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread roots and work dirt among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To embed seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also take off your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly vacate the seedling and as much hem in dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the relief of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become pot / solution - bound and their increase is delay . Water the plant well before starting , so the filth will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the pot , try feed a blade around the bound of the pot , and lightly wham the side to loose the grease .
Always utilise unused soil when transplanting your indoor plant . replete around the plant softly with soil , being careful not to bundle too tightly – you require tune to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize flop away … this will encourage the stem to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think , many plants prefer being fairly great deal bound . Always pop out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the shank at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far live ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are droop ) , move out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the filth too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic can be used , agree to label directions . confab a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-sized , wing insects that assault many types of plants and thrive in raging , ironical stipulation ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is get by the immature larvae which course on tender leaf and peak tissue . This lead to distorted ontogeny , injure flower flower petal and premature flower drop . 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 plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric sticky card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minuscule , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creature which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated sign ) . Spider tinge feed with thrust mouth parts , which cause plants to seem yellowed and stippled . leafage pearl and industrial plant destruction can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring forth a World Wide Web which can report infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and transfer infested plants . Dry melodic line seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and espouse all label directions . Concentrate your movement on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insects that acquire a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like little pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems subdivision . They assault a broad compass of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suited feeding blot , then they advert out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can step down a plant life leading to xanthous leafage and folio drop . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungal outgrowth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden shopping center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . promote natural enemy such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult degree prefers the underside of leaf to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can pose up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can impart many harmful plant life viruses . They also develop a sweet-smelling substance prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increment called jet mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; absent infested plants away from non - infested plant ; utilise a meditative mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky cards , apply judge pesticide ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitor of piddle will launder them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may corrode holes in leafage , strip full stem , or completely devour seedling and ship’s boat transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as fresh as potential , eliminating concealment places such as foliage junk , over - wrench pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed space and heavy mulches put up auspices from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent arena ) and adults during dusk and dawning . congeal out beer traps from late natural spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and mortal for children and pets ; take care when using them - always show the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where Night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or grey-haired fungus is usually discover on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often become jaundiced or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliage egress crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant variety and distance plant properly so they receive adequate light and breeze circulation . Always water from below , keeping water system off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes stern and follow charge exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flush , or dust in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or dark floater and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . dirt ball , pelting , marked-up garden tool , or even people can avail its feast .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . farewell that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piddle should be directed at soil grade . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide fit in to label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide salmagundi of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they find a sound feeding land site . The grownup female person then turn a loss their legs and remain on a smirch protect by its grueling carapace layer . They appear as hump , often on the low sides of leave . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can undermine a plant leading to yellow foliation and foliage drop . They also bring on a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous emergence call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once plant they are hard to master . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . Encourage innate opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is come up on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the works . The safe manner to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leafage with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosiery - destruction atomiser .
