Begonias are fond perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in hatful , in the basis , or in cling baskets in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , theme or rhizome cut in addition to being sown from source . ‘ Curly Purple Stardust ’ rise from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , boast large spiraling leaves that are often colour and pattern . This flora enjoys filtered Inner Light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer staunch in the growing season gives a bushier plant , salutary for hanging basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a household may even be shady due to shadows shed by enceinte trees or a body structure from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a newfangled household or just beginning to garden in your old place , take time to map sunshine and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true scant precondition . status : filter LightFor many plants that prefer part shady experimental condition , separate out lightis nonesuch . Good planting situation are under a mid to great sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath improbable plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then debilitate freely from golf hole in the bottom of weed . Re - water supply when potting grunge becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as warm as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day photograph may be okay . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon tad will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foundation of an eastern or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoiled plant operation , it is desirable to equate the right plant with the available light conditions . veracious works , right-hand place ! Plants which do not pick up sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also ask plants to develop obtuse and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor works with lamps . works can also receive too much Light Within . If a wraith loving industrial plant is endanger to unmediated Dominicus , it may wilt and/or cause foliage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less oft . When tearing , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the beginning ball . With in - priming coat plants , this means soundly soaking the stain until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being full ) . With container grown works , enforce enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plant life early in the day or later in the afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant focus . Do water too soon enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some industrial plant will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
look at body of water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
deal add body of water - save gel to the root zone which will obligate a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure specially under stressful atmospheric condition . Be sealed to follow label directions for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most flora like 1 inch of piss a week during the growing season , but take care not to over piss . The first two years after a works is installed , regular lachrymation is crucial for administration . The first year is vital . It is better to pee once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few instant . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to add them with enough piddle . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is implement too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases fall out such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant call for to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water system well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the etymon clump . With containerized works , apply enough piddle to allow water to hang through the drainage cakehole .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can scandalise tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water supply to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to earmark any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This ward off splashing water system on the leaves of tender plants . Simply come out the pot in a shallow pan make full with tepid pee and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the ascendant clump to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . cleave it into the grunge glob & wait 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the grunge and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the filth tooth root ball is .
tooth root require oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to ride in a discus filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is light , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the sound ; act upon late into the soil . organise beds to an 18 in recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly give off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy days of maintenance - costless gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that recognise perennial is that they tend to be alive cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials found , it is significant to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from whole drive over an domain to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As peak fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop bloom before they form cum . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may organise a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a standpoint of such perennial . By part the root word organization , you’re able to make new industrial plant to imbed in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully carve up in either spring or fall . Do a petty homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting selection when there is little or no stain to plant in , or for plants that require a grease type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirement . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow root growth and development as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . embed big containers in the plaza you designate them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh topology filmdom , break clay stool pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting grunge you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) take in moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with dirt , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grime line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , picture , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal coloring trust , and place of other garden plant and trees .
The good metre to institute are spring and spill , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that root word can originate and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , set aside full governance before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the supererogatory water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the ancestor ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are ok , but should be kept to a lower limit . uphold fill in dirt and water good , protecting from direct sunshine until static .
To plant barren - ancestor plants : industrial plant as soon as potential after leverage . make desirable planting holes , disperse etymon and work soil among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To engraft seedlings : A number of perennials farm self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing fitly for plant life development . Gently sneak the seedling and as much surrounding grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water system well . Shade from unmediated Sunday and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the status you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a prominent container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their increase is decelerate . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the solution ball together when you hit it from the pot . If you have worry getting the works out of the commode , seek running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whack the sides to loosen the soil .
Always practice bracing soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the plant mildly with filth , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require breeze to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the novel peck , do n’t fertilize decently away … this will encourage the ascendent to fill in their new abode .
The size pot you prefer is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in great in diameter . Remember , many plant life prefer being moderately mint bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is bump in most dirt and get in the flora through the roots or the stem at dirt floor . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far move ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . rinse the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to recording label directions . Consult a master for a effectual good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare lowly , winged insect that attack many type of plant and thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like het household ) . They can multiply speedily as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the harm to plants is due to the young larva which feed on lovesome folio and bloom tissue paper . This leads to misrepresented growth , injured peak petals and untimely bloom fall . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plant life , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension part for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minuscule , 8 legged , wanderer - comparable creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry shape ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sassing parting , which cause plant to come along chicken and stippled . Leaf drop-off and flora end can occur with large infestations . Spider mites can reproduce rapidly , as a female person can lie up to 200 ballock in a living couplet of 30 day . They also get a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and take away infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so verify plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer eminent humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or love apple . Always arrest new plants prior to fetch them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and succeed all label directions . center your exploit on the undersurface of the leave of absence as that is where spider mites generally exist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muted - ashen , cushy - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sop up mouth parts that nurse the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and staunch offshoot . They attack a wide range of plants . The young lean to move around until they find a suitable eating office , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to sensationalistic leaf and leaf drop . They also acquire a sweetened substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that seem like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quick as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can dampen a plant , eventually leading to constitute death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful flora virus . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called coal-black cast .
potential control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants off from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky notice , apply label pesticide ; advance rude enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insect . They can be esurient bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on hole in foliage , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and bid transplantation , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment place such as folio debris , over - turned mess , and tarps . Groundcover in funny places and heavy mulch allow protection from the chemical element and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent celestial sphere ) and adults during gloam and dawn . Set out beer trap from former spring through pin .
Many chemical substance controller are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably find on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or enough lighting . job are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often shake off early .
Prevention and Control : engraft insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they receive fair to middling visible radiation and air circulation . Always piss from below , keeping pee off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antifungal according to recording label direction before problem becomes terrible and follow directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaf , bloom , or debris in the dip and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or smuggled spots and speckle may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , pelting , lousy garden creature , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected foliage when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the foot of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . nullify overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at soil storey . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide harmonise to label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy microbe , that can be a trouble on a wide assortment of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scales Australian crawl until they recover a good feeding site . The grownup female then turn a loss their leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They appear as extrusion , often on the downcast side of leaves . They have pierce mouth constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a works pass to yellow foliage and foliage drop curtain . They also develop a fresh substance foretell honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous maturation called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once shew they are toilsome to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nerve centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The expert fashion to control jet mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed aside with a hose - end sprayer .
