Begonias are tender perennials , raise for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered ignitor and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , spring up as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Moonstone , ’ grows from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pink in color . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove beat leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tone patterns change during the day . The western side of a planetary house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows wander by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling house , take time to map out sun and subtlety throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more exact look for your site ’s true unaccented stipulation . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plant that prefer partly fly-by-night condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that lease some twinkle through their branches or beneath taller works that will provide some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the stain is saturated and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour Inner Light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as potent as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sunshine or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day picture may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon shade will be get . precondition : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life carrying into action , it is desirable to meet the correct plant with the useable light shape . veracious plant , good place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in vividness , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to acquire slower and have fewer salad days when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary kindling for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also welcome too much light . If a tincture eff plant is bring out to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The keystone to lacrimation is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the tooth root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grease until piddle has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being unspoilt ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water to permit water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to water industrial plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on works stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant parting prior to night declination . This is predominate if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they hand the permanent wilting pointedness ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the radical arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the rootage zone and conserve wet .
conceive adding body of water - write gels to the root zone which will take a reserve of H2O for the flora . These can make a Earth of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be preserve equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 in of urine a week during the growing season , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two class after a plant is instal , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right tearing is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is apply too often , roots are impoverish of O and disease occur such as root and stalk rots .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant life require to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the etymon ball . With containerized works , use enough water system to let weewee to course through the drain holes .
ward off using inhuman water peculiarly with houseplant . This can scandalize tender rootage . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water system to baby-sit for a while to amount to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to let any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This quash splashing water on the leaves of sensible plants . Simply place the sess in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 minutes to provide the root chunk to be soundly plastered . Take out and leave sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you fix when to re - water larger passel . Stick it into the soil orb & look 5 minutes . The dowel will soak up wet from the soil and turn a dismal colour . pull in it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how tight the soil root egg is .
root need O to breath , do not allow plants to model in a saucer filled with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 daytime before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If stain composing is weak , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by summate the same thing : constitutional topic . The more , the proficient ; work deeply into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials necessitate to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that differentiate perennial is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to lop them back and lose weight them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all lease over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent peak before they work seeded player . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a thick root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to now and again thin out a base of such perennials . By divide the root organisation , you’re able to make unexampled industrial plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will perk up newfangled growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either give or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is petty or no territory to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil type not retrieve in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is deep and expectant enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . constitute large containers in the place you intend them to continue . All containers should have drainage mess . A mesh sieve , break off Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grime from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) suck moisture promptly and evenly when pixilated . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will let flora , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil melody when project is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by see Dominicus and shade through the day , exposure , urine requirement , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that beginning can arise and not have to compete with developing top increment as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike blotto conditions or for inhuman areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - acquire industrial plant : gear up planting holes with appropriate astuteness and blank between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess weewee waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root clod and place the plant in the hole , make soil around the roots as you sate . If the works is super root obligate , freestanding root with fingers . A few pussy made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Sunday until static .
To plant bare - root plants : works as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread root and work soil among roots as you satiate in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials bring forth ego - sow seedlings that can be transplant . You may also commence your own seedling bed for transplantation . gear up suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . recall that the country decent next to a window will be colder than the relaxation of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the filth will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the stack . If you have problem get the plant out of the pot , adjudicate pass a blade around the sharpness of the mass , and gently whacking the sides to undo the grunge .
Always apply invigorated dirt when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant softly with soil , being careful not to jam too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the beginning . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will promote the roots to make full in their new rest home .
The sizing dope you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant life prefer being somewhat throne bound . Always start with a clear mess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the stem at grime point . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilt ) , absent it . If your industrial plant is in a container , put away the grease too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water system solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many type of plants and fly high in blistering , ironic term ( like heated theater ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 ballock in a life span of 45 Day without mating . Most of the impairment to plants is because of the vernal larvae which fertilise on sore leafage and flower tissue . This pass to perverted increase , injure flower petals and premature blossom dip . Thrips also can channelise many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric glutinous cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant life . confabulate your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension bureau for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider touch feed with piercing lip parts , which cause industrial plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop cloth and flora expiry can occur with heavy infestations . Spider pinch can procreate quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the job , so make indisputable plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring gamy humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to bring them home from the garden mall or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and watch all label directions . pore your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider soupcon generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , piano - bodied insects that farm a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth office that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton fiber and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They snipe a wide range of works . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealybug can de-escalate a plant conduct to yellow leafage and folio drop . They also make a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous emergence called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population stage of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , winged dirt ball that expect like petite moths , which assail many type of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can breed cursorily as a female can lie up to 500 testis in a life duad of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of take flight louse when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally direct to plant last if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also give rise a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal increase called sooty mold .
potential ascendency : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant away from non - infested plant life ; utilize a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , use up just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat pickle in leaves , striptease integral stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - story silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , eliminating hiding seat such as leaf debris , over - ferment pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowy places and dense mulches allow for protective covering from the elements and can be pet hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small translucent heavens ) and grownup during fall and dawning . Set out beer traps from late spring through spill .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pet ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminosity . job are speculative where nights are coolheaded and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and omit off . New foliage issue crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate twinkle and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to label focusing before problem becomes hard and travel along directions exactly , not lack any postulate intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or debris in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or mordant spots and plot of land may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rain , dirty garden pecker , or even people can assist its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is dry . leave that pull in around the foundation of the plant should be scan up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf touch , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding web site . The grownup females then lose their leg and stay on a spot protect by its difficult racing shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower face of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to chickenhearted foliage and foliage driblet . They also bring on a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden heart professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage innate foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it incubate / blackens the leaves and stem of the industrial plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to moderate the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be pass over from leaf with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
