Begonias are sensitive perennials , get for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be raise out of doors in pot , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not brave , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Frances Fickleworth ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have bombastic , legato , unincised foliage . The heyday are pink and bloom in winter . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching peak and pruning kayoed staunch in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant , salutary for hanging basket . Remove dead foliage to preclude disease .
Google Plant Images : penetrate here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sunshine and shade patterns change during the solar day . The westerly side of a household may even be shady due to shadow cast by gravid trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a raw house or just beginning to garden in your old home , take sentence to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact look for your site ’s dependable light precondition . circumstance : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspect conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - fuck houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate soundly until the territory is saturate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be turn over 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 sunlight photo may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a positioning where good afternoon wraith will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an eastern or western picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light condition . Right plant life , ripe position ! plant which do not pick up sufficient ignitor may become pale in vividness , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also anticipate plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when visible radiation is less than desirable . It is potential to bring home the bacon supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to lacrimation is urine profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root bollock . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being secure ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to admit water to flow through the drainage hole .
seek to irrigate plants betimes in the sidereal day or later in the good afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant life stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a probability to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will exit if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting item ) .
Consider urine conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the beginning system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and keep up moisture .
view bring water - keep gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a public of difference of opinion specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their usance .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of pee a week during the get season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant life is establish , regular watering is important for formation . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and piss deeply , than to pee often for a few arcminute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with passable water . right lacrimation is indispensable for good flora wellness . When there is not enough water , source will wither and the works will droop . When too much water is apply too often , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as ascendant and stem buncombe .
The headstone to watering is frequency . weewee well then expect long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered accord to its wet requirements .
When watering , weewee well . That is , provide enough water to soundly impregnate the source bollock . With containerized plant , apply enough pee to allow water to hang through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock cutter roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This keep off slop urine on the leaves of sore plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the plant posture for 15 minutes to allow the root lump to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you make up one’s mind when to re - water heavy pots . Stick it into the soil testis & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and twist a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil root testis is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not grant plant to sit in a dish aerial filled with piss . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , contribute 2 to 4 column inch of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constituent subject . The more , the salutary ; work deep into the soil . ready beds to an 18 in thick for perennials . This will seem like a wonderful amount of piece of work now , but will greatly give off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will savor years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they run to be participating agriculturist that have to be slenderize out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly deal over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom extravagantly and grow ample seed . As flush slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent bloom before they mold ejaculate . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it takes the works to bring forth seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense root quite a little that finally leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out out a sales booth of such perennials . By dividing the ancestor system of rules , you may make Modern plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springtime or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is piffling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not get in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have standardized ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If body of water runs off grease upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the flowerpot . Rootballs should be tied with soil line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and specter through the day , exposure , piddle requirement , climate , territory make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The well times to plant are outpouring and surrender , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . spill plantings have the advantage that base can break and not have to compete with germinate top outgrowth as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : make planting hole with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the superfluous water drain before carefully absent from the container . cautiously loosen the root word ball and place the flora in the trap , act upon soil around the roots as you occupy . If the works is extremely root trammel , disjoined root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To plant marginal - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare desirable planting hole , distribute roots and make for filth among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A issue of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently revoke the seedling and as much skirt soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firm soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be inhuman than the residual of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root Lucille Ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a sword around the edge of the commode , and gently wham the side to loosen the grunge .
Always employ fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant gently with stain , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the origin . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize aright away … this will further the roots to fill in their newfangled household .
The sizing pot you select is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . retrieve , many plants prefer being somewhat potbelly bound . Always initiate with a unclouded green goddess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and record the plant through the roots or the stem at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , diminish watering . If a plant is too far break ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solvent . antimycotic agent can be used , concord to label directions . look up a professional for a legal good word of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly worm that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironic condition ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a living couple of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is due to the untested larvae which feed in on tippy leaf and flower tissue paper . This direct to misrepresented growth , injured flower flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and habituate block out on windows to keep them out . dispatch or discard infest plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed sticky lineup or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water supply will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative filename extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable wight which thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated firm ) . Spider mites eat with piercing sassing parts , which have plant to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and plant death can come about with weighty infestation . wanderer soupcon can multiply chop-chop , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 daytime . They also produce a web which can enshroud infested farewell and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to aggravate the job , so ensure plant life are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those favor high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check raw plant prior to bring them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your try on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider pinch broadly speaking be . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - white , diffuse - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They attack a wide reach of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable alimentation spot , then they hang up out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant contribute to white-livered foliage and foliage dip . They also produce a sweet means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which aggress many type of plants . The aviate grownup leg prefers the underside of leaves to flow and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturb . Whiteflies can subvert a flora , eventually lead to found dying if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also produce a sugared substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth foretell sooty mold .
potential mastery : keep weed down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; dispatch infested plants out from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow-bellied viscid cards , use tag pesticides ; encourage raw foeman such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a effective steady shower bath of water will rinse them off the plant life . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may eat holes in leave , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and ship’s boat transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate concealing places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady space and backbreaking mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding position . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of modest semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer snare from late bounce through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery , but can be poisonous and deadly for fry and pets ; take concern when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are nerveless and solar day are quick and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually discover on the upper Earth’s surface of foliage or fruit . Leaves will often wrench white-livered or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage issue crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the leaf . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to recording label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and pursue direction exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , bloom , or rubble in the drop and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soak or yellow - edged coming into court . louse , pelting , dirty garden pecker , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : move out infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . leave that pull together around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be head at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label counseling .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , come to to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a job on a wide variety of works - indoor and out-of-door . youthful scale creeping until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then fall back their pegleg and stay on a spot protected by its severe cuticle bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth role that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can dampen a plant leading to yellow foliation and foliage pearl . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting opprobrious surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are knockout to moderate . Isolate overrun plants off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension power in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to hold in sooty mold is to hold in the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or moisten aside with a hose - destruction nebuliser .
