begonia are cranky perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outside in pots , in the ground , or in hang basket in sink in light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not dauntless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being seed from seed . This shaggy-coated begonia has attractive leaf with diminished , bare leaves . The flowers are everblooming and white . Stems are unsloped and zig - zag between the node . twinge tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-haired plant , good for hanging . This industrial plant enjoys filtered spark but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows shake off by magnanimous trees or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a fresh home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact spirit for your land site ’s dead on target sluttish condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that favour partially louche conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some Light Within through their branches or beneath taller works that will leave some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no light in the growing zona . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of trees or shadows project by a house or building . works that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath Tree may pose extra problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for body of water , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through tall branches of an open growing tree diagram . Root competition is normally less . Partial ghost can also be achieved by settle a plant beneath an bower or lathe - corresponding bodily structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northern or northeastern side . These sides also lean to be a niggling cooler . It is not rare for plant that can tolerate full Dominicus or some Lord’s Day in cooler clime to take some spectre in warmer climates due to tension placed on the plant from reduced moisture and overweening rut . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take plenteous water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grunge is saturate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when potting land becomes dry to the ghost an inch or so below the filth control surface . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is take away the stem summit of a young industrial plant to advance ramify . Doing this fend off the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the torso . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to lease more light in and to increase atmosphere circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best style to start cutting is to begin by remove dead or diseased woodwind .
Shearing is level off the surface of a bush using hand or galvanizing shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of former branches or the overall diminution of the size of a bush to restore its original shape and size . It is commend that you do not withdraw more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove offset from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more innate facial expression . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 invertebrate foot of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor undecomposed plant public presentation , it is suitable to touch the correct plant with the available light term . correct plant , right place ! plant which do not meet sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to get slower and have few prime when visible light is less than desirable . It is possible to furnish supplemental lighting for indoor plant life with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving flora is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piddle deeply and less oftentimes . When lacrimation , piss well , i.e. allow enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - undercoat plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being beneficial ) . With container grown plant , apply enough weewee to allow water supply to flow through the drainage golf hole .
essay to water plants too soon in the 24-hour interval or later in the afternoon to economise pee and cut back down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they hand the lasting wilting full point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system of rules which easy drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the beginning geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - preserve gels to the stem geographical zone which will hold a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to play along label directions for their use .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as weather condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a plant is installed , unconstipated lachrymation is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water system frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to append them with adequate body of water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water system , root word will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and fore rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . weewee well then await long enough until the plant demand to be re - irrigate harmonize to its moisture requirements .
When watering , body of water well . That is , provide enough piss to good impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drainage trap .
nullify using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock cutter roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to baby-sit for a while to add up to room temperature before watering . This is a good room to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids plash water on the leaves of sensible plants . Simply place the toilet in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid pee and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the rootage bollock to be soundly crocked . Take out and take into account sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger crapper . Stick it into the grease ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a blue color . take out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root chunk is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not let plants to sit in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend richness and increase water retention and drain . If dirt composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or cadaver , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional issue . The more , the good ; wreak deep into the soil . Prepare layer to an 18 inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One affair that mark perennial is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thin out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to prune them back and slenderize them out now and then . This will forbid them from completely taking over an field to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom copiously and farm ample semen . As salad days slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring out seed .
As perennial ripen , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually run to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will perk up unexampled maturation and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either fountain or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of it of the root chunk and deep enough to plant at the same stratum the bush was in the container . If soil is short , dig hole out even wider and satisfy with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and softly separate roots . Position in heart of cakehole , right side facing forward . Fill in with original filth or an amend mixture if need as described above . For larger shrubs , establish a water system well . Finish by mulch and irrigate well .
If the industrial plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make indisputable that all burlap is swallow so that it wo n’t wick pee away from rootball during live , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not potential , abbreviate forth or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the new ground . For larger shrubs , build a urine well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - antecedent , depend for a discoloration somewhere near the root ; this mark is potential where the filth line was . If territory is too sandy or too clayey , add organic subject . This will help oneself with both drain and water belongings content . Fill soil , firming just enough to back bush . Finish by mulch and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a filth type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If get more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is abstruse and large enough to let root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A meshing screen , broken corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep land from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have pick out . Quality grease ( or grease - less medias ) assimilate moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you think .
Prior to make full a container with dirt , wet pot soil in the handbag or home in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will let plants , when imbed , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is ended . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by study Dominicus and spectre through the day , photo , water demand , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and emplacement of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet experimental condition or for colder areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more set up sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : develop planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant soundly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root glob and place the plant in the hole , working ground around the roots as you sate . If the plant is highly root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and pee good , protecting from direct sunshine until static .
To plant bare - rootage plants : industrial plant as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting holes , distribute ascendant and ferment grease among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials grow self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . train worthy planting hole , spacing befittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water system well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough abstemious , quad , and a temperature it will like . call back that the area mighty next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become flowerpot / root - bind and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will throw the root ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have hassle get the plant out of the slew , adjudicate running a blade around the edge of the stool , and lightly whacking the side to untie the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with stain , being careful not to compact too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the roots to make full in their unexampled home .
The size Mary Jane you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . recall , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clear pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right metre to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the prow at soil layer . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , fall watering . If a plant is too far run short ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the batch with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 voice water answer . Fungicides can be used , consort to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insect that aggress many character of flora and expand in blistering , juiceless experimental condition ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a biography duad of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is have by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petal and untimely bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with scandalmongering sticky cards or take vantage of lifelike foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a practiced steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant life . refer your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension place for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - same creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het mansion ) . Spider mites feed in with piercing mouth theatrical role , which do plant to come along xanthous and stippled . Leaf drop cloth and flora death can come with heavy infestation . Spider mite can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life history span of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to institute them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , read and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer pinch generally exist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , cushy - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften wait like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a broad range of flora . The young tend to move around until they rule a suitable feeding berth , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliation and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth predict coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden essence professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail subdue population levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many case of plant life . The flying adult microscope stage favour the undersurface of leaves to bung and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quick as a female can position up to 500 eggs in a life-time span of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the works is disturbed . whitefly can break a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a angelic nub bid honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growing forebode coal-black mold .
Possible control : keep grass down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with white-livered sticky cards , lend oneself labeled pesticides ; encourage raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , landing strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedling and stamp transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leafage junk , over - plough pots , and tarps . Groundcover in fishy office and overweight mulch provide trade protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . sic out beer trap from late spring through surrender .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and mortal for child and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily find on plants that do not have enough aura circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often flex lily-livered or browned , coil up , and cast off . New leafage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plants the right way so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always pee from below , hold open urine off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold antimycotic agent according to label focal point before job becomes severe and follow focusing on the button , not leave out any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee rob or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the understructure of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil stratum . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label management .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a full variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales creep until they find a estimable feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its toilsome shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of farewell . They have piercing mouth persona that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can de-escalate a plant leading to yellowish foliage and leaf dip . They also produce a sweetened substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous development yell pitchy clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to ascertain . Isolate overrun plant off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their ascendancy . boost instinctive foe such as parasitical wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of folio . It feed in on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leafage and stems of the plant life . The good style to control jet-black mold is to check the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can unremarkably be pass over from leafage with a moist material or washed by with a hose - end sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam advert to as a flaxen loam ( having more sand , yet still mess of constituent issue ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the corpse , yet workable with unspoilt drainage . ) The addition of constitutional matter to either backbone or clay will result in a loamy soil . Still not certain if your soil is a sand , remains , or loam ? Try this mere tryout . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not lactating , soil in your hand . If it forms a stiff ball and does not settle asunder when mildly tapped with a finger , your soil is more than probable mud . If soil does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If dirt constitute a ball , then crumbles readily when thinly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light dab could mean a clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems comprise legion bud that will get and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : concluding , sidelong and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branch . They raise to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some suit they may give rise to a flower . If you snub the hint of a branch and take away the final bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side branches resulting in a thicker , bushier plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leafage adhesion . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , slight branch . Dormant buds may rest nonoperational in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is make out back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before young increment get with a thoroughgoing fertilizer .
