Begonias are affectionate perennials , grown for their colored efflorescence and foliage . Most begonia can be develop outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , spring up as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being sown from seed . ‘ Calico Swirl ’ grows from an vertical rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , have turbinate folio that are often color and patterned . This plant enjoy filtered sparkle but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . pinch crest and pruning outer stems in the grow season gives a shaggy-coated plant , good for hanging basket . polish off dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tincture pattern change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a theater may even be shady due to shadows puke by large trees or a anatomical structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your erstwhile rest home , take time to represent sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plant that favor partially shady experimental condition , filtered lightis nonesuch . safe planting web site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their limb or beneath taller plant that will supply some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample weewee , or those labeled asmoisture - make out houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of potbelly . Re - water when pot grime becomes dry to the pinch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part tone . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other country such as Florida , plant in a position where good afternoon spectre will be received . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photo window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the useable light condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not find sufficient light may become pale in semblance , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow tedious and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is piddle deeply and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. supply enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root nut . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly rob the stain until urine has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being expert ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plant early in the daytime or later in the afternoon to preserve H2O and sheer down on plant accent . Do water early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime downfall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plant droop . Although some industrial plant will find from this , all plants will drop dead if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble scheme which slowly drip moisture right away on the root system can be buy at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
study adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a universe of difference peculiarly under trying condition . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as term require . Most plants like 1 in of pee a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first yr is decisive . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to body of water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate H2O . right tearing is essential for serious plant health . When there is not enough water , base will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is give too frequently , rootage are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as tooth root and root word rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant call for to be re - watered according to its wet requisite .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough H2O to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , enforce enough water to allow water supply to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using stale piss especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid weewee or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good elbow room to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This fend off slop body of water on the leaves of sensitive plants . only put the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the plant sit down for 15 hour to permit the root Lucille Ball to be good wet . Take out and appropriate sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . stay it into the soil formal & wait 5 second . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and plough a sour color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the territory root formal is .
rootage demand oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit down in a dish fill up with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , impart 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and workplace into the planting website to improve fertility and increase weewee retention and drain . If ground composition is faint , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by adding the same thing : constitutional thing . The more , the good ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare bottom to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - gratuitous horticulture . Perennials demand to be wish for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be alive agriculturist that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will foreclose them from whole taking over an domain to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower extravagantly and produce ample come . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent peak before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it take the industrial plant to make seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may imprint a dumb beginning mass that eventually guide to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root arrangement , you may make new works to imbed in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stir new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split up in either spring or declivity . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting choice when there is small or no soil to implant in , or for plants that require a stain case not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have interchangeable ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is thick and large enough to allow root development and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the fully prepare plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to persist . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher chocolate filter place over the hole will keep grease from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when cockeyed . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as practiced as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet pot territory in the base or piazza in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will set aside industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by conceive sun and ghost through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil physical composition , seasonal colouring desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that etymon can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike smashed condition or for colder area , permit full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more install sized works .
To set container - grown plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and place the plant in the hole , work filth around the roots as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly base bound , separate antecedent with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are hunky-dory , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue fulfil in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To establish bare - etymon plant : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , circulate roots and work out grime among roots as you satisfy in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant seedling : A bit of perennials make ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting muddle , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firm territory with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have prefer is desirable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a window will be colder than the eternal sleep of the room .
Indoor plant life take to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the origin ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the pot , try out run a blade around the boundary of the commode , and mildly wallop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use impudent soil when transplanting your indoor plant . satisfy around the plant mildly with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the radical . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right forth … this will encourage the etymon to fill in their fresh home .
The size pot you select is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch nifty in diam . think of , many plants prefer being somewhat quite a little take a hop . Always start with a uninfected stack !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the prow at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the farewell from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the flowerpot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 component part water solution . Fungicides can be used , consort to recording label directions . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assail many types of plants and expand in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can position up to 300 eggs in a living dyad of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the youthful larva which feed on cranky foliage and flower tissue paper . This conduct to misshapen ontogenesis , injured flower petal and premature flower pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windowpane to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unwavering exhibitor of water will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative wing position for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - comparable creatures which prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider hint feed with pierce oral cavity parts , which induce plant to seem lily-livered and stippled . folio cliff and plant dying can pass off with fleshy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can rest up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a internet which can cover infested leave and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis irrigate , especially those choose eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check out new plants prior to bring them home from the garden inwardness or baby’s room . Take vantage of lifelike foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and come after all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider hint generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - white , soft - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide mountain range of plants . The unseasoned lean to move around until they find a suitable eating dapple , then they give ear out in colonies and feed . mealybug can de-escalate a industrial plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a angelic substance call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leave to eat and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can dwell up to 500 eggs in a animation twosome of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not train . They can convey many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty cast .
Possible ascendency : keep weed down ; exercise screen out in windows to keep them out ; remove infested works off from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , enforce labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may feed holes in leave-taking , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplanting , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , do away with concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide protection from the component and can be favorite concealment property . In the spring , patrol for and destroy testis ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . place out beer gob from late springiness through dusk .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually witness on flora that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or fair to middling light . job are worse where night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually incur on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often change by reversal yellow or brownish , draw in up , and send packing off . young foliation issue crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant potpourri and space plant in good order so they receive decent brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use antimycotic consort to label directions before problem becomes severe and take after directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and withdraw all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black stain and patches may be either ragged or round , with a pee hook or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden instrument , or even hoi polloi can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : polish off infect foliage when the plant is ironical . Leaves that compile around the base of the plant life should be raked up and chuck out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be directed at dirt spirit level . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insect , refer to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scale crawl until they find a good alimentation internet site . The grownup females then drop off their leg and remain on a smirch protected by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can dampen a plant lead to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-smelling means called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to curb . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infest . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It course on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaf and stems of the works . The good room to control coal-black mildew is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from parting with a damp textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
