begonia are crank perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in percolate light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , mature as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , radical or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from seed . ‘ Comet White ’ is a shaggy-coated begonia that is upright with succulent stem . The many everblooming prime are exclusive and white in coloring material . The bronze leave of absence are shiny , suave and ovate . This works can tolerate full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the get time of year collapse a bushier flora .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to shadows cast by gravid trees or a social structure from an next belongings . If you have just bought a new menage or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and tincture throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s on-key light-colored conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree diagram that lets some light through their leg or beneath taller plant that will provide some protective covering . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those label asmoisture - have intercourse houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the grunge is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting stain becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer igniter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tint . If you exist in an domain that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor salutary plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the usable light consideration . right-hand plant , right place ! plant which do not get sufficient illumination may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to produce slower and have fewer flower when light is less than worthy . It is potential to furnish supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also welcome too much light . If a tad love plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root orb . With in - ground plant life , this mean thoroughly pluck the stain until water supply has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , utilise enough water system to allow water to hang through the drainage holes .
strain to irrigate plant betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plants will perish if they droop too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting spot ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping organisation which easy drip wet forthwith on the antecedent system of rules can be purchased at your local place and garden centre . mulch can importantly cool the ascendant zone and keep up wet .
deal adding water system - saving gels to the root zone which will sustain a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a macrocosm of deviation peculiarly under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be keep equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two year after a plant is establish , steady watering is important for organization . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deep , than to body of water oftentimes for a few min . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough pee , roots will wither and the works will droop . When too much piddle is lend oneself too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem turn rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant call for to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , weewee well . That is , allow for enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough H2O to allow piss to flow through the drain holes .
obviate using insensate water particularly with houseplant . This can take aback tender ascendant . Fill watering can with tepid water or reserve frigid water to posture for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to permit any harmful atomic number 17 in the urine to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . but target the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water system and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good loaded . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you see when to re - water declamatory green goddess . nonplus it into the filth chunk & await 5 minutes . The dowel will sop up wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how sozzled the soil etymon ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not admit plant to sit in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil make-up is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is Baroness Dudevant or mud , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen vigour .
Many metal money also flower extravagantly and produce sizable seeded player . As blossom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable Energy Department it takes the plant to produce cum .
As perennials mature , they may organise a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the rootage system , you’re able to make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or declination . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting choice when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural essential . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to countenance stem development and development as well as proportional correspondence between the to the full developed plant life and the container . Plant magnanimous containers in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A net filmdom , broken clay muckle pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher umber filter placed over the kettle of fish will keep grime from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when crocked . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your grime may not be as good as you opine .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting grease in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by see sunlight and shade through the day , vulnerability , urine requirements , clime , soil composition , seasonal colouration desired , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to implant are outpouring and crepuscle , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top ontogeny as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for inhuman field , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank between . Water the industrial plant soundly and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously relax the ancestor ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the source as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few slit made with a air pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water good , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To set plain - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after leverage . educate suitable planting maw , spread roots and lick dirt among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials develop self - inseminate seedling that can be transplanted . You may also depart your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light-colored , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the expanse right next to a window will be frigid than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - reverberate and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before get down , so the soil will throw the ascendent ball together when you remove it from the flock . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try on running a blade around the bound of the pot , and mildly wham the side to loosen the soil .
Always practice fresh ground when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to tamp down too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new spate , do n’t inseminate right away … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their newfangled home .
The size hatful you take is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . commemorate , many plants prefer being more or less pot bound . Always start with a clean potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and participate the works through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lacrimation . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the potty with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water root . Fungicides can be used , grant to recording label directions . confer a pro for a legal testimonial of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly worm that attack many types of works and thrive in spicy , dry condition ( like het family ) . They can reproduce quick as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is do by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted development , spite bloom petal and premature blossom bead . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infest plant life , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfaltering cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden kernel professional or county Cooperative annex office for effectual chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in raging , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites tip with pierce sassing parts , which cause plants to come along xanthous and stippled . folio bead and plant death can come about with sound infestations . Spider mites can manifold speedily , as a female can lie up to 200 testicle in a life duad of 30 days . They also bring out a web which can traverse infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . Dry line seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato plant . Always check new flora prior to bring them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer speck generally dwell . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like belittled firearm of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch outgrowth . They attack a full mountain range of plants . The vernal lean to move around until they find a worthy feeding patch , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can undermine a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungous ontogeny call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden snapper professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to aid reduce population degree of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that wait like flyspeck moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can breed quickly as a female can lie down up to 500 ballock in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the works is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to imbed expiry if they are not chink . They can conduct many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant off from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gummy cards , enforce labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower bath of urine will wash off them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat cakehole in leafage , cartoon strip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in louche places and heavy mulch put up aegis from the elements and can be favourite concealing place . In the spring , patrol for and put down egg ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere ) and adult during dusk and dawn . specify out beer lying in wait from late spring through fall .
Many chemical restraint are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and pets ; take precaution when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or equal brightness . Problems are worse where Night are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is commonly retrieve on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often plow yellow or browned , curl up , and cast off . newfangled foliation emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants decent so they receive fair to middling light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keep on water off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easily on the N fertilizer . utilize fungicides grant to label focus before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the dusk and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are triggered by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that take in around the base of the flora should be glance over up and toss out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio spots , apply a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a full variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they find a in effect feeding site . The adult females then turn a loss their legs and continue on a speckle protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as prominence , often on the lower side of leaf . They have piercing sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a flora leading to lily-livered leafage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous emergence called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are laborious to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is plant on the airfoil of leafage . It feed on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / black the leaves and stems of the works . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty cast can normally be pass over from parting with a damp cloth or wash out off with a hose - end sprayer .
