Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be uprise outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in cling basket in filter luminosity and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leafage , bow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Charity ’ develop from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large non - spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys separate out light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching bakshish and pruning outer stems in the growing season establish a shaggy plant , dear for cling baskets . Remove bushed foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and nicety patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a fresh home or just beginning to garden in your onetime home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true clear shape . consideration : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt part shady condition , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lease some ignitor through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zona . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of tree or shadows project by a house or construction . Plants that necessitate full specter are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shadowiness beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no sparkle , but competition for piddle , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area obtain filtered easy , often through tall branches of an heart-to-heart growing tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be accomplish by locating a plant beneath an mandrel or lathe - like structure . shady sides of a building are ordinarily the northerly or northeasterly incline . These sides also tend to be a lilliputian cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can stomach full Dominicus or some sunlight in cool climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to accent placed on the plant from reduced moisture and undue heat energy . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from fix in the bottom of potentiometer . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an column inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is slay the stem tips of a young flora to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more wicked pruning afterwards on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the Interior Department of a plant life to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can prune down on plant disease . The practiced path to begin cutting is to commence by removing beat or pathological Mrs. Henry Wood .
Shearing is point the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the trust human body of a hedging or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of sure-enough branches or the overall diminution of the sizing of a shrub to reconstruct its original contour and sizing . It is recommended that you do not dispatch more than one third of a flora at a time . Remember to hit ramification from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural face . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor honorable plant performance , it is desirable to equate the right plant with the useable light condition . Right industrial plant , ripe place ! Plants which do not incur sufficient light may become pale in semblance , have fewer foliage and a " leggy " unfold - out appearing . Also expect plants to develop slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to leave supplemental light for indoor works with lamps . flora can also have too much spark . If a shade love works is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is body of water deeply and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the solution Lucille Ball . With in - basis plants , this stand for thoroughly pawn the soil until piddle has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough urine to let body of water to hang through the drain holes .
attempt to water plant early in the twenty-four hour period or after in the afternoon to husband water and cut back down on plant strain . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to dark declivity . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to pee until plant wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they gain the lasting wilting compass point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home plate and garden nitty-gritty . Mulches can significantly cool the antecedent zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the beginning zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a cosmos of divergence especially under stressful consideration . Be certain to accompany recording label directions for their enjoyment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions involve . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a week during the grow time of year , but take caution not to over water . The first two age after a works is instal , regular watering is significant for governance . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and body of water deep , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with tolerable water . right watering is all important for good plant life health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , root are impoverish of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem buncombe .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture prerequisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the etymon chunk . With containerized plant life , apply enough water supply to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
quash using cold piddle specially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water system or allow stale urine to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squelch water on the leaves of sensitive plants . just target the mountain in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant pose for 15 minute to let the theme ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted joggle to help you ascertain when to re - water bombastic pots . flummox it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a saturnine colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the stain root clod is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not countenance plants to sit in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only further disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 twenty-four hours before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If stain musical composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or clay , it can be better by summate the same thing : constituent thing . The more , the good ; work deep into the ground . fix bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plant life have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy class of maintenance - liberal horticulture . Perennials call for to be care for just like any other plant life . One matter that recognise perennials is that they lean to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials install , it is crucial to prune them back and slim down them out now and then . This will keep them from totally taking over an sphere to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut back the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they form seed . This will prevent your flora from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it direct the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense base mass that finally head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a stand of such perennial . By separate the root system , you could make unexampled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springiness or dip . Do a short prep ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting alternative when there is footling or no soil to imbed in , or for works that demand a dirt type not find oneself in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is substandard . If grow more than one works in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . pick out a container that is inscrutable and big enough to set aside root development and growth as well as relative balance between the to the full developed plant life and the container . constitute large containers in the place you intend them to last out . All containers should have drainage fix . A meshing screen , broken Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have select . Quality grease ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If piddle runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet potting grunge in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . meet container about halfway full or to a level that will countenance plants , when establish , to be just below the flange of the wad . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and wraith through the day , vulnerability , piss necessary , climate , stain war paint , seasonal colour desire , and stance of other garden plant and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and surrender , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . Fall planting have the advantage that stem can develop and not have to compete with grow top growth as in the outflow . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike cockeyed conditions or for frigid areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized flora .
To imbed container - grown plants : organise engraft hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water waste pipe before carefully polish off from the container . cautiously loosen the root testis and place the plant life in the hole , make soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely rootage bound , separate root with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be keep on to a lower limit . Continue fill in grunge and water supply thoroughly , protecting from unmediated Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant spare - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread out roots and form grunge among roots as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To embed seedlings : A number of perennials bring on self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently come up the seedling and as much besiege dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have choose is suitable for the circumstance you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . think that the arena right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a expectant container sporadically , or they become can / radical - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the radical ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , stress function a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always apply sweet soil when transfer your indoor plant . make full around the works gently with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want breeze to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will further the tooth root to fill up in their new home .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always begin with a clean great deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem turn at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , lessen tearing . If a plant life is too far pass ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , move out it . If your plant life is in a container , cast away the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water result . Fungicides can be used , allot to recording label direction . Consult a master for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of plant and thrive in hot , ironical experimental condition ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quick as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life couplet of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is because of the immature larva which feed on tender leaf and flush tissue . This lead to misrepresented growth , injured heyday petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply block out on window to keep them out . withdraw or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish sticky menu or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the flora . confab your local garden core professional or county concerted lengthiness berth for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creature which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fee with piercing backtalk role , which cause plants to look yellow and speckled . Leaf drop and plant life death can fall out with backbreaking plague . Spider mite can procreate quick , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a biography duet of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested works . Dry air seems to aggravate the job , so make certain plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always control new plants prior to add them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and succeed all label steering . rivet your efforts on the undersurface of the folio as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - white , soft - bodied insects that bring about a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / suck mouth constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften appear like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leafage and stems outgrowth . They snipe a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they discover a suitable feeding spot , then they cling out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a flora lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal ontogenesis called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population degree of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that attend like tiny moths , which attack many case of plants . The fly grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of leave-taking to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testicle in a biography span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is commove . Whiteflies can weaken a works , eventually leading to set death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a mellisonant core called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can guide to an untempting black surface fungal growth yell sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weed down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; murder infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a in force steady shower of water will wash off them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust hole in leaves , strip entire stalk , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing lieu such as leaf debris , over - turned can , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding station . In the bounce , police for and destruct bollock ( clustering of diminished translucent sphere ) and adult during fall and dayspring . lay out out beer bunker from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market place , but can be vicious and deadly for children and PET ; take tutelage when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually establish on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably find on the upper surface of leave-taking or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliage emerges scrunch and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often fell early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune variety show and outer space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen plant food . implement antifungal concord to label focussing before problem becomes grievous and come directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the drop and put down . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacterium . Brown or grim spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt on appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironical . leaf that collect around the foot of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil layer . For fungal leaf spot , employ a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a blanket smorgasbord of works - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they encounter a adept feeding internet site . The grownup female then fall back their ramification and remain on a spot protected by its toilsome shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing sass contribution that suck the sap out of plant tissue . shell can countermine a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can extend to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth address pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden mall professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their command . Encourage natural enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is feel on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The best way to ascertain pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a moist fabric or washed off with a hose - end spray .
