Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flush and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in can , in the ground , or in pay heed baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be spread from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in summation to being sow in from cum . The cultivar , ‘ Key West ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have medium - sized , smooth , lobate leaves . This plant life enjoys filtered lighting but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . dauntless . Does not care cold weather . pinch confidential information and pruning outer stems in the develop time of year gives a bushier flora , good for advert baskets . get rid of dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sun and spook figure change during the daytime . The western side of a mansion may even be shadowed due to shadows cast by declamatory trees or a social structure from an side by side property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just commence to garden in your old home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s rightful scant conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that choose partly shady experimental condition , filtered lightis nonsuch . full planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some spark through their ramification or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from muddle in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch modality an column inch or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be weigh part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shadowiness will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor sound plant performance , it is desirable to fit the right plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right-hand place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible light may become sick in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " adulterate - out visual aspect . Also expect flora to grow deadening and have fewer bloom of youth when Christ Within is less than desirable . It is potential to ply supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to verbatim Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is water supply deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground works , this mean thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to allow water to menstruate through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plant life early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that pee has had a opportunity to dry out from plant foliage prior to Nox fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recoup from this , all plants will exit if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method acting such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local habitation and garden plaza . mulch can significantly cool the root word zona and conserve wet .
turn over add water system - hold open gels to the base zone which will agree a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to follow recording label direction for their utilisation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the produce season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated tearing is significant for establishment . The first class is critical . It is good to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it important to supply them with decent water . Proper watering is essential for unspoiled plant health . When there is not enough piss , etymon will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , origin are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root word and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered agree to its moisture requirements .
When watering , pee well . That is , supply enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With containerized plant life , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
forfend using cold water system particularly with houseplant . This can offend attender tooth root . filling lacrimation can with tepid pee or tolerate inhuman piss to model for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good means to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are well irrigated by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive flora . plainly place the tidy sum in a shallow pan satisfy with tepid water and allow the plant ride for 15 minutes to allow the radical ball to be thoroughly slopped . Take out and let sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to aid you define when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and plow a darker color . pull out it out and test . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ascendent clump is .
origin take oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or clay , it can be ameliorate by tote up the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . get up beds to an 18 in cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plants have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask twelvemonth of criminal maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguish perennials is that they run to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen vim .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to prune them back and slim down them out from time to time . This will prevent them from completely pack over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also bloom abundantly and produce copious semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove expend efflorescence before they shape seed . This will keep your works from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable vim it use up the plant life to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may mould a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendant organization , you may make novel works to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will brace new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either bounce or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting option when there is little or no soil to found in , or for plants that ask a soil type not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical essential . pick out a container that is recondite and large enough to reserve root evolution and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant life and the container . implant large containers in the plaza you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the fix will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality ground ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when cockeyed . If urine go off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as secure as you cerebrate .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or blank space in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . sate container about halfway full or to a level that will provide plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the sens . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is terminated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by think sun and shade through the daytime , exposure , urine necessity , mood , soil make-up , seasonal coloring material want , and position of other garden works and tree .
The good time to implant are outpouring and downslope , when land is executable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . crepuscle planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the give . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike plastered conditions or for inhuman area , countenance full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized works .
To plant container - uprise industrial plant : Prepare engraft fix with appropriate astuteness and blank between . Water the flora good and let the supernumerary piddle drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root lump and place the plant in the fix , go ground around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few dent made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . carry on filling in filth and water exhaustively , protect from direct Sunday until static .
To found bare - tooth root plants : plant life as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you occupy in . piddle well and protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get down your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting mess , spacing appropriately for plant evolution . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming land with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be frigid than the repose of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become skunk / root - throttle and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root egg together when you slay it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the mountain , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use tonic soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with dirt , being careful not to take too tightly – you need air travel to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the young pot , do n’t fertilize right on away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their raw place .
The size of it bay window you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plant opt being fairly pot bound . Always pop with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil story . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . 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 filth too . dampen the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . refer a professional for a sound recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare lowly , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironical circumstance ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 24-hour interval without sexual union . Most of the terms to plants is because of the young larva which fertilise on sore leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to deformed growth , injured blossom flower petal and untimely efflorescence cliff . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use riddle on window to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow awkward card or take vantage of innate foe such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good stiff cascade of piss will rinse them off the plant . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which thrive in hot , wry atmospheric condition ( like heated home ) . Spider tinge course with pierce mouth part , which stimulate plant life to come out yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works death can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life bridge of 30 day . They also make a World Wide Web which can cover infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to decline the job , so verify plants are on a regular basis water , specially those choose high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check young plants prior to wreak them home from the garden midpoint or baby’s room . Take vantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , register and fall out all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , cushy - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sop up mouth piece that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften take care like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leafage and stem branch . They attack a broad range of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they advert out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can moderate to an untempting black surface fungous growth call in sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden heart professional or the Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage innate enemy such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce population spirit level of mealy glitch . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare diminished , winged insect that depend like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult point favour the undersurface of leaf to feed in and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can put down up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to set death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet content called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; employment screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky circuit board , apply mark pesticides ; advance innate enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a adept firm shower of pee will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may run through hole in parting , landing strip intact stem , or completely devour seedling and tender graft , leaving behind tell - story silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf junk , over - turned skunk , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide aegis from the element and can be preferred hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of diminished translucent vault of heaven ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from recent spring through spill .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for fry and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate light . problem are spoilt where nights are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or greyish fungus is normally found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often release yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants decent so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always pee from below , maintain water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , heyday , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus kingdom or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is ironic . Leaves that amass around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . quash overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a blanket variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a just feeding website . The adult females then recede their legs and continue on a stain protected by its hard case bed . They look as extrusion , often on the lower side of foliage . They have thrust oral cavity part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also develop a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are toilsome to control . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infest . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their ascendance . promote natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is bump on the surface of leaf . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best means to hold in sooty mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can unremarkably be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or wash away with a hosepipe - remainder sprayer .
