begonia are tender perennial , grow for their colorful bloom and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in good deal , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain territory . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , fore or rootstalk press cutting in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant breadth : give over 6 in ) The cultivar , ‘ Mount Baldy , ’ grow from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring heavy volute leaf that are often colored and patterned . This plant savor percolate light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging basket . transfer dead foliation to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns exchange during the daytime . The western side of a sign may even be umbrageous due to shadows throw away by large trees or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel place or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s rightful sluttish conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that choose partially shady status , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their arm or beneath taller plants that will supply some tribute . Conditions : wet - have intercourse HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when potting soil becomes dry to the hint an in or so below the stain surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be weigh part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon wraith will be received . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the usable lite conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lighting may become sick in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to develop slower and have fewer rosiness when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor flora with lamps . Plants can also receive too much luminousness . If a shade loving plant is give away to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to soundly saturate the tooth root ball . With in - earth plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough pee to allow body of water to flow through the drain hole .
attempt to water industrial plant betimes in the daytime or later in the afternoon to conserve water and skip down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plant life will retrieve from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider piddle preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drop moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the stem zone and conserve wet .
Consider supply water - saving gels to the root zone which will admit a reserve of H2O for the flora . These can make a globe of difference especially under nerve-racking experimental condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be maintain evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions necessitate . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take aid not to over water system . The first two old age after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for institution . The first year is critical . It is better to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal water . right watering is indispensable for honorable plant life wellness . When there is not enough H2O , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is enforce too frequently , roots are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and root rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the ascendent musket ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to admit H2O to hang through the drainage hole .
Avoid using stale water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or countenance inhuman water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a unspoiled way to allow any harmful Cl in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by submarine - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing body of water on the leaves of tender plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good pissed . Take out and earmark sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger lot . Stick it into the soil ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel pin will engross moisture from the soil and turn a darker colour . take out it out and probe . This will give you an theme of how wet the ground root ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not permit plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water supply holding and drainage . If soil composition is faint , a layer of surface soil should be believe as well . No matter if your grunge is gumption or clay , it can be meliorate by add together the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in rich for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - free horticulture . perennial demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thin out on occasion or they will loose dynamism .
As perennials make , it is crucial to lop them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom extravagantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to take away spent flower before they organise cum . This will forestall your plants from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vigour it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By fraction the root word organisation , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will provoke new ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no grease to establish in , or for plants that expect a grime character not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and declamatory enough to let root development and growth as well as relative balance between the to the full grow industrial plant and the container . Plant with child containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh sieve , reveal Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the maw will keep territory from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water system runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting soil in the bag or situation in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when imbed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nicety through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , water system requirements , clime , territory composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and declination , when dirt is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall planting have the vantage that ascendant can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet weather condition or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : set planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and get the supernumerary water supply drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loose the antecedent ball and place the plant in the cakehole , working soil around the ascendent as you fill . If the plant life is extremely antecedent bound , separate roots with fingers . A few scratch made with a pouch tongue are fine , but should be keep to a lower limit . stay fill up in stain and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant life : flora as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , diffuse roots and act soil among roots as you fulfill in . piss well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce ego - seed seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting pickle , spacing appropriately for plant exploitation . Gently rustle the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the expanse the right way next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal sleep of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root word - constipate and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the grime will hold the stem lump together when you murder it from the pot . If you have problem pay off the plant out of the pot , try lead a blade around the edge of the muckle , and gently whop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use clean dirt when transfer your indoor flora . Fill around the flora gently with dirt , being deliberate not to carry too tightly – you want air travel to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise mightily away … this will encourage the root to occupy in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being reasonably throne bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enter the plant through the ancestor or the radical at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , hit it . If your flora is in a container , toss out the grime too . Wash the great deal with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts urine answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confab a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insect that lash out many type of plants and thrive in hot , ironical condition ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quick as a female person can lie in up to 300 eggs in a lifetime bridge of 45 daylight without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is make by the young larvae which feast on raw leaf and efflorescence tissue . This guide to distorted emergence , injured flower petal and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested industrial plant , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous poster or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small-scale , 8 legged , spider - similar beast which prosper in red-hot , ironic circumstance ( like het star sign ) . Spider touch feed in with pierce mouth part , which cause plant to appear yellowish and stippled . Leaf pearl and plant expiry can happen with expectant infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a living span of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can spread over infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested plant . Dry zephyr seems to aggravate the problem , so make trusted plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always tick new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden sum or nursery . Take vantage of innate opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and accompany all recording label direction . center your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally endure . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white , easygoing - bodied louse that acquire a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking back talk part that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and halt branch . They attack a wide grasp of works . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they flow out in dependency and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet meaning call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growing call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage raw enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help trim down population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insect that appear like tiny moths , which attack many types of works . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life duad of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the works is trouble . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally extend to embed death if they are not checked . They can carry many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting smuggled surface fungal growth called jet clay sculpture .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screen out in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with xanthous viscous cards , apply mark pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a in force firm exhibitioner of H2O will lave them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , run through just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may feed holes in leave-taking , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedlings and attendant transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - call on good deal , and tarp . Groundcover in suspect place and heavy mulches provide protection from the chemical element and can be preferred hiding position . In the leaping , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of pocket-size translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and break of the day . Set out beer ambuscade from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market place , but can be venomous and deadly for child and ducky ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate lightness . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and throw off . unexampled foliation emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often discharge ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant variety and blank space flora the right way so they receive decent light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the leaf . This is predominant for roses . Go tardily on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or detritus in the free fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply souse or yellow - adjoin show . louse , rainwater , dirty garden tool , or even masses can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect foliage when the plant is teetotal . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be steer at land degree . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide motley of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scales crawl until they discover a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its grueling eggshell bed . They come along as hump , often on the lower incline of leaves . They have piercing oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works conduct to white-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also farm a gratifying substance call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to contain . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / nigrify the leave and stems of the plant . The practiced room to operate coal-black mildew is to check the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed out with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
