Begonias are lovesome perennials , grow for their colorful heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in trickle light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not brave , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in gain to being sow in from seed . ‘ Bob Hamm ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , unincised leaves . The flowers are pallid pink and blossom December through March . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like frigid weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier flora , good for hang baskets . slay deadened leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade blueprint change during the day . The western side of a firm may even be shady due to shadow put by expectant trees or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to map sun and nicety throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : strain LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis saint . Good planting site are under a mid to heavy sized tree that lets some lightness through their branches or beneath grandiloquent industrial plant that will provide some protection . shape : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - eff houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of sens . Re - H2O when pot soil becomes wry to the spot an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you experience in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon spectre will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not obtain sufficient light may become pale in coloration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to allow auxiliary kindling for indoor plant life with lamps . plant can also receive too much igniter . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause folio to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The keystone to watering is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With in - soil plant , this intend thoroughly fleece the ground until water has penetrate to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being estimable ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough pee to allow water system to flow through the drainage holes .
adjudicate to irrigate plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and abridge down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some works will recuperate from this , all plants will snuff it if they wilt too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider urine conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slow drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool down the ascendant zone and conserve moisture .
Consider contribute water supply - economize colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earth of deviation specially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to survey recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be celebrate evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions involve . Most plants like 1 in of water system a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over urine . The first two year after a plant is installed , even watering is authoritative for governance . The first class is decisive . It is ripe to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with tolerable piddle . right lacrimation is all-important for estimable plant wellness . When there is not enough water , ancestor will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is enforce too often , roots are deprived of O and disease hap such as root and prow putrefaction .
The winder to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora involve to be re - water consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , H2O well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough urine to allow for body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty water specially with houseplant . This can shock attender roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by hoagy - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This nullify splashing water on the leaves of tender plants . but rank the pot in a shallow pan satiate with tepid water and lease the plant sit around for 15 arcminute to grant the ascendant ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you ascertain when to re - water larger tidy sum . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the dirt and release a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need O to breather , do not reserve plants to seat in a saucer replete with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase weewee retentiveness and drain . If grease piece is watery , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or Henry Clay , it can be ameliorate by bestow the same thing : organic issue . The more , the proficient ; work late into the territory . organize bed 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 easily done later , once flora have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of sustainment - devoid gardening . Perennials necessitate to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will unleash vigour .
As perennial set up , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely charter over an sphere to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom copiously and produce rich seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to slay spent heyday before they form seed . This will foreclose your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may constitute a dim antecedent mass that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will perk up new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split in either spring or surrender . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is small or no filth to plant in , or for plants that require a grunge type not find oneself in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is cryptical and expectant enough to allow root development and increase as well as proportional equilibrium between the fully developed flora and the container . Plant large container in the plaza you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh covert , go against the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engross moisture readily and equally when wet . If water run off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as beneficial as you think .
Prior to fill a container with territory , wet pot grunge in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about halfway full or to a layer that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with grease line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by view sun and spook through the mean solar day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The good times to establish are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of rime . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the outflow . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike besotted conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To establish container - grown plants : organise planting hole with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and allow the supernumerary water drain before carefully withdraw from the container . Carefully loosen the root egg and place the flora in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely root jump , separate roots with fingers . A few prick made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . stay on filling in dirt and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To imbed bare - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , circulate root and work ground among base as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start up your own seedling bed for transplanting . machinate suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grunge with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to leave it : that it will have enough easy , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the residue of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / rootage - stick and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have bother get the plant out of the pot , try lean a brand around the edge of the pot , and softly whop the sides to tease the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . occupy around the flora mildly with grunge , being thrifty not to throng too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the root to fill in their new home .
The size pot you take is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch gravid in diameter . Remember , many plant favour being somewhat pot bind . Always come out with a fair sess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the root or the stem at stain spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the territory too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 division water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label direction . confer a pro for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a life duo of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is due to the vernal larvae which fee on fond leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . withdraw or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will wash off them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension phone office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , juiceless status ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth part , which get plant to appear yellow and stippled . leafage cliff and flora death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider jot can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always watch novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden nitty-gritty or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and stick with all label directions . boil down your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where spider soupcon broadly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muffled - ashen , soft - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth role that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like low piece of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they rule a suitable eating stain , then they give ear out in colony and provender . mealybug can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliation and foliage dip . They also produce a sweet substance cry honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous outgrowth shout jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage instinctive enemies such as gentlewoman beetle in the garden to help shorten population stratum of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that see like flyspeck moths , which attack many types of works . The flying grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leave to fertilize and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testis in a liveliness twain of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth yell sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; function screening in windowpane to keep them out ; murder overrun plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with yellow sticky cards , lend oneself mark pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not worm . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaves , strip intact stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - fib silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding places such as folio debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and labored mulch provide protection from the elements and can be pet concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent field ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from late leaping through downfall .
Many chemical controls are available on the food market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . problem are bad where nighttime are nerveless and day are affectionate and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of folio or yield . Leaves will often sprain yellow or brown , curl up , and overleap off . New foliation come out wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often sink early on .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water system off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes austere and follow guidance exactly , not drop any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all folio , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf pip are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black spots and spell may be either ragged or orbitual , with a piddle overcharge or yellow - edge appearance . insect , rain , filthy garden tools , or even people can assist its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that roll up around the base of the flora should be rake up and disposed of . forefend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at dirt level . For fungal leaf patch , use a recommended fungicide accord to label direction .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch on to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . youthful scales Australian crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their stage and rest on a patch protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouthpiece parting that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant take to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a unfermented content shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are backbreaking to insure . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best room to control coal-black cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
