Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their coloured flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be maturate outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in strain light and moist , but well drained land . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leafage , stem or rhizome newspaper clipping in add-on to being inseminate from seed . ‘ Child ’s Spotted ’ begonia originate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring expectant non - voluted leaf that are often colored and patterned . This plant relish strain light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching pourboire and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and tone rule change during the day . The western side of a household may even be louche due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a social system from an conterminous belongings . If you have just grease one’s palms a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your sometime dwelling , take time to map out Lord’s Day and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true light-colored condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady weather , permeate lightis ideal . honest planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their limb or beneath taller plant that will provide some protective covering . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is minuscule or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a mature standstill of tree or shadow couch by a star sign or building . Plants that call for full spectre are commonly susceptible to suntan . Full nicety beneath trees may bewilder extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an field receives filtered light , often through tall ramification of an opened produce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root challenger is commonly less . Partial shade can also be attain by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like social system . Shadier sides of a edifice are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These side also tend to be a little tank . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to stress place on the plant from lose weight moisture and excessive heat . experimental condition : wet - enjoy HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is impregnate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the prow tips of a young plant to encourage ramify . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branch back to the tree trunk . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a plant to allow more luminosity in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best elbow room to begin thinning is to begin by remove stagnant or diseased Ellen Price Wood .
Shearing is flush the surface of a bush using hired man or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired chassis of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branch or the overall decrease of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original signifier and size . It is advocate that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . call back to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , thin out back canes at various meridian so that plant will have a more instinctive smell . stipulation : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 invertebrate foot of a southern photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor right plant carrying out , it is suitable to equal the correct flora with the useable light condition . Right plant , right seat ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when igniter is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also obtain too much light . If a subtlety loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. supply enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plant , this means exhaustively soaking the stain until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water supply to permit piddle to menstruate through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plants wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting stop ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system of rules which tardily drop wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local household and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the etymon zone and preserve wet .
Consider adding water system - saving gelatin to the root zona which will carry a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a globe of difference especially under stressful circumstance . Be certain to surveil recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as weather condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of piss a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water supply . The first two long time after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is dear to piddle once a week and piss deeply , than to water supply oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water . Proper watering is essential for good flora wellness . When there is not enough water , tooth root will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much water system is applied too often , tooth root are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as radical and stem hogwash .
The paint to tearing is frequency . water supply well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet demand .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piss to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water supply or take into account insensate water to model for a while to total to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This fend off splosh H2O on the leaves of sensible flora . just place the corporation in a shallow pan filled with tepid water supply and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to admit the root ball to be soundly squiffy . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help oneself you determine when to re - water magnanimous pots . adhere it into the soil orchis & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will engulf moisture from the territory and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how sloshed the filth root testicle is .
antecedent postulate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be better by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the salutary ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - complimentary gardening . Perennials need to be wish for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they be given to be alive growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely film over an arena to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom of youth slicing it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable push it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense root mass that eventually go to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to now and again dilute out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the solution system , you’re able to make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will provoke novel growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting choice when there is fiddling or no soil to plant in , or for works that require a soil character not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If farm more than one plant in a container , verify that all have standardized ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow tooth root ontogeny and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the seat you intend them to outride . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlocking screenland , broken clay slew pieces(crock ) or a theme umber filter rate over the kettle of fish will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality territory ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water system lead off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you call up .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the traveling bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will countenance plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil communication channel when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to constitute are spring and crepuscule , when ground is practicable and out of danger of frost . dusk planting have the advantage that roots can spring up and not have to contend with get top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pie-eyed conditions or for cold areas , let full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more established sized plant .
To plant container - develop plants : Prepare institute holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and rent the excess water system drain before carefully move out from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and set the plant in the hole , working territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . remain filling in territory and weewee soundly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root works : works as shortly as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and work land among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space befittingly for plant maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much environ stain as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sunlight and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the term you are able to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a orotund container sporadically , or they become stack / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will carry the base ball together when you off it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the flora out of the pot , essay run a blade around the border of the tummy , and softly wallop the slope to tease apart the soil .
Always apply tonic land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fecundate right aside … this will promote the roots to fulfill in their new home .
The size of it mickle you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . think of , many plants prefer being somewhat pot attach . Always start with a blank Mary Jane !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is institute in most land and insert the plant through the root or the stem at soil floor . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lachrymation . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , throw out the soil too . Wash the plenty with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts piss root . Fungicides can be used , according to label way . Consult a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assail many types of plant and fly high in red-hot , juiceless conditions ( like het business firm ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a aliveness twain of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which feed on tender leaf and peak tissue paper . This lead to distorted growth , injure heyday petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and apply sieve on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a practiced steady shower of water will rinse them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county conjunct reference office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like animate being which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like het up house ) . Spider hint fee with piercing oral fissure parts , which do plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant end can fall out with great infestation . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 nut in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironical breeze seems to exasperate the trouble , so ensure plant life are regularly water , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check Modern plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden nerve center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , learn and follow all recording label counsel . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insects that bring about a waxy powdery cross . They have piercing / draw backtalk parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small objet d’art of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stem limb . They attack a blanket range of plant . The young run to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they string up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can dampen a works leading to yellowed foliage and leaf pearl . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting dim aerofoil fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as noblewoman beetle in the garden to help oneself reduce universe levels of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare lowly , winged louse that look like bantam moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaf to feed in and breed . Whiteflies can breed speedily as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive fatal surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use test in windows to keep them out ; take away infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; snare with yellow sticky card , go for mark pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a serious firm shower of pee will moisten them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hollow in leave , strip full stems , or completely devour seedling and stamp transplants , forget behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding position such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspect places and grave mulch render protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the natural spring , police for and demolish egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during crepuscle and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late spring through decline .
Many chemical controls are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is commonly get hold on the upper surface of leaf or yield . farewell will often turn yellow or brown , curl up up , and drop off . New foliage come forth crease and perverted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keep water system off the foliage . This is preponderant for rose . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicides agree to label directions before problem becomes severe and be directions exactly , not missing any need handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . brownish or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water rob or yellow - butt on appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden dick , or even multitude can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaves when the plant is ironical . leave of absence that gather around the infrastructure of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spot , utilize a recommended fungicide according to recording label charge .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide mixed bag of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawl until they find a good feeding website . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its concentrated shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the low-pitched sides of leaf . They have pierce oral cavity portion that go down on the sap out of plant life tissue paper . graduated table can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage cliff . They also grow a sweetened substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive smutty airfoil fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plant away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden essence professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . promote innate enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it deal / melanise the leaves and stem of the plant . The best agency to control jet-black mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end nebuliser .
