Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pot , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in summation to being sow in from seminal fluid . ‘ Zip Code ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , lobate leafage . The flowers are pinkish and white and bloom in fountain . This plant delight filter light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidness . dauntless . Does not wish cold-blooded weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season impart a bushier plant , safe for hanging baskets . move out dead leafage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a planetary house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a body structure from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a new household or just begin to garden in your sometime home , take time to map sunshine and subtlety throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more exact flavor for your site ’s dead on target light precondition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that favour partially shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some luminousness through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the stain is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when potting soil becomes dry to the touch sensation an column inch or so below the soil surface . atmospheric condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be order within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant public presentation , it is desirable to pair the right plant with the available clean conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient brightness level may become pallid in colouring , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also wait flora to grow slow and have fewer prime when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much lighter . If a shade eff plant life is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less ofttimes . When watering , piss well , i.e. allow for enough urine to soundly saturate the tooth root chunk . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water supply to flow through the drainage cakehole .
endeavor to water plants too soon in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to keep up water and cut down on plant focus . Do weewee betimes enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from works leafage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will exit if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
deliberate water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden sum . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the root geographical zone which will contain a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of dispute specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to adopt label focussing for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions command . Most industrial plant like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two years after a flora is instal , regular watering is significant for institution . The first year is critical . It is sound to water system once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with fair to middling water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough pee , origin will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , ancestor are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and fore bunkum .
The Francis Scott Key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora require to be re - water according to its wet requisite .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the origin orchis . With containerized plants , apply enough body of water to allow water to fall through the drainage muddle .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplant . This can shock ship’s boat root . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a good style to let any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the foliage of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 second to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water gravid good deal . Stick it into the dirt bollock & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will engage moisture from the dirt and turn a darker coloring material . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how tight the territory ascendent ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit down in a discus filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water holding and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . organise beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been constitute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight twelvemonth of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be worry for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be slim out from time to time or they will free vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to dress them back and thin them out now and again . This will preclude them from completely take over an area to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to get rid of spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it takes the plant to acquire semen .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually direct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the antecedent system , you’re able to make fresh plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern increment and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow theme development and emergence as well as relative Libra between the amply developed works and the container . Plant large containers in the situation you destine them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter lay over the kettle of fish will keep soil from wash out . The potting ground you take should be an appropriate commixture for the works you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when crocked . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot land in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will let plants , when implant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is perfect . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nicety through the day , vulnerability , pee prerequisite , clime , territory makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to institute are spring and gloaming , when filth is workable and out of peril of rime . Fall plantings have the reward that source can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the springiness . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and have the surplus urine drain before cautiously take away from the container . cautiously loose the root ball and commit the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few dent made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . cover fulfill in dirt and water soundly , protect from unmediated Sunday until static .
To set bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting maw , circularize root and work territory among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To establish seedlings : A act of perennials get ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . organise desirable planting hole , space appropriately for plant maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much border grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , tauten territory with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to put up it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the repose of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become good deal / root - spring and their ontogenesis is retard . irrigate the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the root glob together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem make the plant out of the pot , try carry a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the position to loosen the soil .
Always use refreshed filth when transplanting your indoor plant life . sate around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the ascendent . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will further the solution to satisfy in their new home .
The size good deal you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch capital in diameter . Remember , many industrial plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always begin with a uninfected pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the etymon or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a industrial plant is too far perish ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilt ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solvent . Fungicides can be used , grant to recording label way . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged louse that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply promptly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 day without union . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which give on lovesome leafage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted maturation , injured efflorescence flower petal and premature flower drib . Thrips also can air many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and practice screen on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard overrun industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with jaundiced glutinous card game or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden kernel professional or county conjunctive extension situation for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated planetary house ) . Spider mites tip with pierce lip part , which cause plants to seem chicken and specked . foliage drop and plant death can go on with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can pose up to 200 bollock in a life-time span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can deal infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to exasperate the job , so ensure plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato plant . Always turn back new plants prior to impart them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of instinctive foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and trace all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally hold up . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , diffuse - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / absorb mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest man of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works conduct to yellow foliage and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . refer your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural opposition such as lady beetles in the garden to help shrink population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many case of industrial plant . The flying grownup stage opt the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate apace as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime span of 2 months . If a flora is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , eventually leave to embed death if they are not check . They can conduct many harmful plant life computer virus . They also grow a honeyed nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive smutty aerofoil fungal ontogenesis cry sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; function screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant aside from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; further natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may corrode gob in leaf , strip intact stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leafage debris , over - plough pots , and tarp . Groundcover in fishy lieu and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding position . In the spring , police for and destroy ball ( clustering of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and ducky ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually receive on works that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually recover on the upper airfoil of folio or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curve up , and neglect off . New foliage emerges crumple and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found immune varieties and space plant properly so they take in fair to middling light and breeze circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label direction before trouble becomes severe and conform to directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and bump off all leaves , flowers , or dust in the drop and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungi or bacteria . brownish or grim spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rainfall , foul garden dick , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take infected farewell when the plant life is wry . Leaves that call for around the base of the plant life should be skim up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be guide at stain grade . For fungous leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of flora - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawling until they ascertain a good alimentation site . The adult females then lose their wooden leg and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come out as bump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to white-livered leaf and folio driblet . They also produce a sweet substance promise honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an unattractive smuggled surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to moderate . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is base on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , weighing machine , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The best way to operate coal-black mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end nebulizer .
