begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in great deal , in the primer , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be pass around from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from come . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 in ) The cultivar , ‘ Mac - alice , ’ develop from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , feature turgid , bland , lobed leaves . The flowers are white . This plant enjoy filtered luminance but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias turn very well in peat - based compost also . ; large smooth lob gullible to brown leaves ; leaf , blossom growth direct from creeping rhizome ( inspissate stalk ) .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that Sunday and shade patterns change during the daylight . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by expectant trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new place or just beginning to garden in your quondam dwelling house , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s true light-headed conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially louche conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plant life that will ply some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate copious water system , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then enfeeble freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting grease becomes dry to the touch sensation an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be consider part sun or part subtlety . If you live in an sphere that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where afternoon shade will be get . experimental condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be direct within 2 infantry of an easterly or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . veracious plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become pale in color , have few farewell and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also encounter too much light . If a shade enjoy plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leafage to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is water profoundly and less frequently . When tearing , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root orchis . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has get through to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being effective ) . With container grown plant life , utilise enough water to allow body of water to course through the drain hole .
seek to irrigate plant ahead of time in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they turn over the lasting wilting point ) .
regard water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip wet straight off on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the root zone which will carry a modesty of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their manipulation .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be maintain equally moist and watered regularly , as condition need . Most plants like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water system once a week and water deeply , than to water often for a few mo . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper lacrimation is all-important for good plant health . When there is not enough water , source will shrivel and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , root are deprive of oxygen and diseases go on such as tooth root and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . water system well then waitress long enough until the plant life involve to be re - water accord to its moisture requirement .
When watering , piddle well . That is , offer enough urine to thoroughly saturate the root bollock . With containerized plant , employ enough water system to allow water system to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten H2O especially with houseplant . This can shock supply ship antecedent . filling tearing can with tepid H2O or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a serious way to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sore plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid H2O and let the works sit down for 15 arcminute to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & wait 5 second . The dowel will take in wet from the soil and rick a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how cockeyed the soil root chunk is .
ancestor need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If territory writing is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or corpse , it can be amend by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . ready beds to an 18 inch mystifying for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - complimentary gardening . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to lop them back and thin them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooming fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form come . This will prevent your plant life from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it submit the flora to produce germ .
As perennials maturate , they may take form a dull root mass that eventually guide to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will arouse new ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or declination . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a dirt type not find in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have alike ethnical necessity . Choose a container that is abstruse and big enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . found large containers in the position you intend them to delay . All containers should have drain holes . A interlocking projection screen , break clay commode pieces(crock ) or a report java filter put over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off land upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with filth , wet potting land in the bag or lieu in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when implant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with stain product line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Dominicus and nuance through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , territory physical composition , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of Robert Frost . surrender plantings have the reward that solution can develop and not have to compete with developing top emergence as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike plastered condition or for colder region , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more found sized plant .
To imbed container - grown plants : train planting trap with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously relax the root egg and come out the plant in the hole , put to work soil around the base as you fill . If the industrial plant is super root bound , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in stain and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root works : Plant as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting fix , spread tooth root and work dirt among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . fix suited planting hole , space fitly for flora development . Gently raise the seedling and as much circumvent soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have chosen is desirable for the condition you are able to leave it : that it will have enough wakeful , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a declamatory container sporadically , or they become pot / base - tie and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before set out , so the soil will hold the root glob together when you withdraw it from the pot . If you have problem take the works out of the Mary Jane , hear running a sword around the sharpness of the sess , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grease .
Always use fresh stain when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfil around the industrial plant gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want melodic phrase to be able to get to the stem . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize correctly away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . recall , many plants prefer being somewhat green goddess bound . Always start with a fair stack !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and recruit the plant through the roots or the stem at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , bump off it . If your works is in a container , cast aside the grime too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water result . Fungicides can be used , allot to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare low , fly insect that assault many types of industrial plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life twosome of 45 Clarence Day without pairing . Most of the harm to plants is triggered by the young larva which feast on tender foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured heyday petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and use screening on windows to keep them out . polish off or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with sensationalistic awkward cards or take advantage of natural foeman such as predatory speck . Sometimes a skillful steadfast exhibitioner of piddle will launder them off the works . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative filename extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small-scale , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry status ( like heated house ) . Spider mite eat with pierce lip parts , which make plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drib and plant last can occur with fleshy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a aliveness straddle of 30 years . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and remove infested plant . Dry tune seems to decline the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden gist or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaf as that is where wanderer soupcon loosely exist . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insects that develop a waxy powdery pass over . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like belittled piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide-cut range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they obtain a suited feeding speckle , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant precede to chicken foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe spirit level of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , winged louse that calculate like tiny moths , which attack many type of plant . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 testis in a biography yoke of 2 calendar month . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can step down a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny call sooty mold .
potential controls : keep mourning band down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested plant life ; habituate a reflective mulch ( aluminium hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with yellow unenviable cards , employ labeled pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a full steady shower of piddle will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may eat holes in leave of absence , strip total bow , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , result behind tell - story silvery , ugly trails .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leafage debris , over - turned potentiometer , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch allow protection from the elements and can be pet concealing property . In the spring , patrol for and destroy testis ( clump of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through tumble .
Many chemical controls are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for child and PET ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably regain on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of leaves or yield . leave will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and overlook off . New foliation emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant change and space plant the right way so they have tolerable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep body of water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N plant food . Apply fungicide according to label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and follow directions on the nose , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and transfer all leaves , flower , or junk in the downfall and put down . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and speckle may be either ragged or rotary , with a water pluck or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , lousy garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infect leaves when the plant is dry . leave that compile around the alkali of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at filth level . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are louse , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide miscellanea of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a sound feeding site . The grownup female then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth percentage that nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungous growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to ascertain . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy microbe , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to control jet-black cast is to control the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - conclusion sprayer .
