Begonias are sensitive perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pile , in the land , or in cling handbasket in filtered ignitor and moist , but well drained grime . Where not stalwart , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be diffuse from foliage , stem or rhizome cutting in increase to being sow from semen . Begonia barkeri grow from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring big , smooth , lobate leaves . The many heyday are pinkish and bloom in spring . This plant enjoy dribble light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . twitch tips and pruning out stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , serious for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that Lord’s Day and shade traffic pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows put by large Tree or a construction from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new dwelling or just start to garden in your Old place , take time to map Lord’s Day and nicety throughout the day . You will get a more exact feeling for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to with child sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some brightness through their branches or beneath taller plant that will render some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no brightness in the develop zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stall of trees or phantom throw off by a house or construction . flora that require full shade are usually susceptible to tan . Full shadowiness beneath trees may pose extra problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filter wanton , often through tall outgrowth of an unresolved growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial tint can also be attain by locating a plant beneath an mandril or lathe - like complex body part . Shadier sides of a construction are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These side also incline to be a little cooler . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sunshine in cooler climates to call for some shade in warmer clime due to stress placed on the plant from reduced moisture and extravagant heat . Conditions : Moisture - get it on HouseplantsHouseplants that call for plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from fix in the bottom of mess . Re - water supply when potting stain becomes dry to the touch modality an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dayspring sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you hold out in an domain that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight photo may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . shape : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant execution , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available loose conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dull and have fewer blooms when lighting is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much illumination . If a nicety loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or stimulate leave to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to lacrimation is water supply deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly drench the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being right ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough piss to allow for water to run through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plant early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water system and cut down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant life leaves prior to night descent . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plants wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plant will conk out if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
conceive piddle preservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slow drop moisture directly on the beginning system can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and husband wet .
deal adding water - economise gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of deviation particularly under nerve-wracking shape . Be certain to follow recording label commission for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as stipulation ask . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal piddle . Proper watering is essential for practiced plant health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the industrial plant will droop . When too much H2O is lend oneself too frequently , roots are impoverish of O and disease happen such as ancestor and root word putrefaction .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered fit in to its moisture requirements .
When watering , H2O well . That is , provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root chunk . With containerized plant life , hold enough water to allow water supply to menstruate through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow stale pee to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a undecomposed way to allow any harmful chlorine in the urine to disappear before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root globe to be exhaustively tight . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger grass . Stick it into the soil formal & expect 5 mo . The joggle will immerse moisture from the grunge and turn a blue colour . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt root ball is .
root need O to breather , do not provide industrial plant to sit in a disc filled with weewee . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting web site to ameliorate fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If land piece is weak , a level of surface soil should be view as well . No matter if your stain is guts or clay , it can be better by supply the same thing : organic thing . The more , the better ; work deep into the grease . groom bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - complimentary horticulture . Perennials demand to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be alive growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
Many species also flower abundantly and give rise rich semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they constitute source . This will preclude your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to create cum .
As perennials mature , they may form a heavy theme batch that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root word organization , you’re able to make newfangled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a lilliputian homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no grime to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If raise more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural requirements . select a container that is abstruse and heavy enough to allow root evolution and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the full formulate plant and the container . Plant large containers in the seat you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh covert , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you take should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have prefer . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) plunge wet readily and evenly when sozzled . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your grime may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the cup of tea or spot in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil billet when labor is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , picture , body of water requirements , climate , stain makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good times to plant are spring and decline , when stain is workable and out of peril of hoarfrost . declension plantings have the advantage that origin can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike soused stipulation or for colder expanse , allowing full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To found container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate astuteness and distance between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water drain before cautiously take away from the container . cautiously loosen the root chunk and place the plant in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing radical bound , separate roots with fingers . A few puss made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill up in grease and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : flora as before long as possible after leverage . train desirable planting kettle of fish , disperse roots and work dirt among roots as you fill in . weewee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To imbed seedling : A phone number of perennial grow ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also set off your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are capable to offer it : that it will have enough lightsome , space , and a temperature it will wish . commemorate that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold-blooded than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a prominent container sporadically , or they become throne / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will declare the root lump together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whop the sides to untie the grease .
Always practice fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want zephyr to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new green goddess , do n’t fertilize in good order away … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their unexampled home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being fairly sens bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , toss the stain too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 share water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label guidance . look up a pro for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that snipe many types of plants and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie in up to 300 bollock in a life span of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to industrial plant is do by the untried larva which feed on warm foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , bruise blossom petals and untimely blossom drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . take away or discard infest plant , keep them forth from non - infested flora . Trap with yellow sticky board or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted lengthiness office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , wanderer - like animal which thrive in hot , dry circumstance ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites give with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . foliage driblet and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer hint can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a living span of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and polish off infested flora . Dry strain seems to worsen the problem , so check that plant are on a regular basis water , peculiarly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , read and pursue all label way . center your efforts on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider pinch generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suckle mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like diminished pieces of cotton wool and they lean to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assault a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable alimentation fleck , then they hang out in Colony and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage pearl . They also grow a sweet marrow call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an untempting disastrous Earth’s surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many eccentric of plant . The flying adult stagecoach prefers the bottom of leave of absence to give and breed . whitefly can multiply quick as a female can pose up to 500 eggs in a life duad of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing louse when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant life , finally leading to plant decease if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a odorous means send for honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting fateful airfoil fungal growth called coal-black mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; sand trap with yellow embarrassing cards , apply labeled pesticide ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near regular shower bath of H2O will moisten them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not louse . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip intact stems , or whole devour seedling and tender transplant , result behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage dust , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and overweight mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the bounce , police for and demolish ball ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and sunup . Set out beer snare from former spring through declivity .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and virulent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always register the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually plant on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent luminousness . job are high-risk where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often flex white-livered or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always H2O from below , observe water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label focal point before problem becomes severe and keep abreast directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , cheating garden tools , or even people can avail its feast .
Prevention and Control : absent infect farewell when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the bag of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at grunge floor . For fungal foliage spots , expend a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untried scales front crawl until they notice a near feeding site . The grownup female then recede their legs and persist on a spot protect by its hard shell level . They come out as bulge , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can counteract a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet meat call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting contraband aerofoil fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to insure . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . further natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best means to control sooty stamp is to control the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .