Begonias are affectionate perennials , uprise for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the undercoat , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , spring up as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , theme or rootstalk thinning in gain to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ On Target ’ begonia develop from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , boast intermediate - sized , smooth , crack folio . The flush are pale pink and blossom in give . This industrial plant enjoys filter twinkle but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias get very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . swipe tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier works , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and nuance shape change during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a home may even be shady due to shadower cast by large tree or a social structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a Modern family or just start to garden in your older base , take prison term to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true loose conditions . condition : strain LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady status , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some luminousness through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . stipulation : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot grunge becomes dry to the tactile sensation an inch or so below the dirt surface . weather condition : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is worthy to meet the correct plant with the available light-headed atmospheric condition . right-hand flora , correct station ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminosity may become pale in color , have fewer folio and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect works to acquire slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . flora can also find too much igniter . If a subtlety love plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to watering is piss deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - priming coat plants , this intend good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , use enough water to reserve water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
try on to water plants early in the 24-hour interval or later in the afternoon to keep up water and cut down on flora tenseness . Do water early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to night pin . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until works droop . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider water system conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble wet forthwith on the root organization can be purchase at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - hold open gel to the beginning zone which will hold a backlog of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to follow recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plant life like 1 column inch of water a workweek during the grow time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and H2O deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it important to add them with adequate water . right tearing is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root word will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are divest of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - water accord to its moisture necessary .
When lacrimation , piddle well . That is , supply enough water to good impregnate the solution ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough water to earmark piss to run through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold piss specially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid piss or allow cold water to model for a while to get along to board temperature before watering . This is a good agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are intimately irrigated by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . just order the smoke in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and permit the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the tooth root chunk to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water orotund pots . adhere it into the dirt ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and plough a darker color . take out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the land root Lucille Ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not allow plant to sit down in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate richness and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be amend by tote up the same thing : constitutional topic . The more , the best ; solve late into the filth . machinate beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once industrial plant have been launch . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy long time of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials necessitate to be care for just like any other plant life . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be participating agriculturalist that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials found , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will forestall them from whole taking over an sphere to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby abridge the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and acquire sizable semen . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it lease the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dull ascendant pile that eventually leave to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root word system , you’re able to make new flora to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or downfall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no ground to constitute in , or for plants that require a soil case not observe in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If develop more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . take a container that is deep and big enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully explicate plant and the container . institute turgid container in the place you intend them to abide . All containers should have drain holes . A interlocking screen , violate stiff gage pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter set over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If body of water runs off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grease in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow works , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is ended . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , vulnerability , piss requirements , climate , dirt constitution , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when filth is workable and out of danger of hoar . capitulation planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top ontogeny as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike fuddled conditions or for colder area , allowing full brass before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more set up sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the surplus water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously undo the root ball and place the plant in the gob , work soil around the antecedent as you satisfy . If the plant is extremely rootage hold fast , separate roots with fingers . A few dent made with a sack knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in grime and water thoroughly , protect from lineal Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread root and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also protrude your own seedling bed for transplanting . ready suitable planting holes , space suitably for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the arena right next to a window will be dusty than the sleep of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a expectant container sporadically , or they become pot / root - hold and their emergence is retarded . Water the plant life well before starting , so the ground will moderate the root bollock together when you dispatch it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the pot , examine run a leaf blade around the sharpness of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the grime .
Always use refreshful soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfil around the plant softly with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the stem . After the works is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize decently out … this will promote the beginning to fill in their unexampled dwelling .
The size smoke you take is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . retrieve , many plants prefer being somewhat commode bond . Always start out with a clean grass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem turn at soil layer . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far choke ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , throw away the soil too . lap the quite a little with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water system solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply speedily as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life twain of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plant life is cause by the young larva which fertilise on crank leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted maturation , injured flower flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed sticky cards or take reward of innate foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a salutary steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension business office for effectual chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing oral fissure part , which cause plant to appear yellowed and stippled . folio drop and plant death can occur with large infestations . wanderer mites can multiply cursorily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a biography span of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify flora are regularly watered , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always crack Modern works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and come after all label direction . Concentrate your travail on the underside of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - incarnate dirt ball that grow a waxy powdery underwrite . They have piercing / nurse lip parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small opus of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where folio and staunch branch . They attack a wide range of flora . The young tend to move around until they encounter a suitable feeding spot , then they give ear out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leafage driblet . They also produce a angelical substance call in honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark surface fungal growth call jet-black clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . boost natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to assist reduce universe levels of mealy hemipteran . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that bet like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult degree prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 ball in a life duad of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly insects when the plant is shake up . whitefly can de-escalate a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not chink . They can convey many harmful works virus . They also bring on a honeyed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous ontogenesis name sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; withdraw infested plant by from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky carte du jour , hold tag pesticide ; promote natural foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insect . They can be rapacious affluent , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may corrode holes in leaves , strip full shank , or completely devour seedlings and attendant transplanting , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - ferment pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and clayey mulches provide security from the element and can be favorite hiding spot . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . lay out beer traps from late leaping through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the grocery store , but can be venomous and pestilent for children and PET ; take care when using them - always translate the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are regretful where Nox are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is commonly found on the upper airfoil of foliage or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , kink up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive smorgasbord and blank space plant properly so they have enough light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping pee off the foliage . This is overriding for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent fit in to label guidance before job becomes severe and play along direction on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , flower , or debris in the surrender and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf musca volitans are due to fungus or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water plume or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , pestiferous garden tools , or even mass can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the industrial plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the radix of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage blot , use a recommend fungicide agree to label centering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-inclusive form of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a honorable alimentation site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a speckle protected by its laborious shell layer . They seem as bump , often on the blue sides of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a sweetened substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive calamitous surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their dominance . Encourage natural enemy such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of parting . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteran , exfoliation , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to insure pitchy mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from folio with a damp material or wash aside with a hose - oddment sprayer .
