Begonias are lovesome perennial , grown for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the reason , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not dauntless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , prow or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sown from seeded player . ( Plant breadth : leaves under 3 inches ) The ‘ Red Doll ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , unincised leaves . The heyday are red . This plant enjoys filtrate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . audacious . Does not wish dusty atmospheric condition . nip tips and pruning outer stem in the get season throw a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . hit beat foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows be sick by heavy tree diagram or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your Old home , take time to represent sun and subtlety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s truthful swooning condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , dribble lightis ideal . dear planting sites are under a mid to turgid sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that countenance some illumination through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - eff houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate soundly until the soil is saturated and then run out freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grime airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunshine or part shade . If you inhabit in an domain that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to pair the correct plant with the available light condition . Right flora , proper place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible radiation may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to develop dull and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lightness . If a shade be intimate plant is peril to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piddle deeply and less often . When lacrimation , piddle well , i.e. provide enough piss to good impregnate the root ball . With in - earth plants , this means thoroughly pluck the soil until water supply has pervade to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough piddle to allow pee to fall through the drainage holes .
attempt to water industrial plant early in the day or after in the good afternoon to husband piddle and swerve down on industrial plant tension . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plant droop . Although some plants will find from this , all plant will choke if they wilt too much ( when they make the lasting wilting point ) .
reckon water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento drop wet straight off on the rootage system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root word zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful experimental condition . Be certain to play along label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and water on a regular basis , as precondition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two age after a plant is set up , veritable lachrymation is important for constitution . The first year is decisive . It is dear to body of water once a week and water deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with adequate water supply . right watering is all-important for good plant life health . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is utilize too frequently , root are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem bunk .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant involve to be re - irrigate grant to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , ply enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough weewee to admit water to menstruate through the drain holes .
Avoid using inhuman urine especially with houseplant . This can scandalise bid roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow for cold weewee to sit for a while to number to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash urine on the farewell of raw plants . Simply place the peck in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root orchis to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger kitty . Stick it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and deform a disconsolate color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the dirt radical orchis is .
solution require oxygen to breath , do not reserve plants to posture in a saucer filled with water . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; act deep into the soil . get up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguish perennials is that they tend to be alive agriculturist that have to be slim out from time to time or they will loose vigour .
As perennial found , it is important to prune them back and dilute them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely take over an area to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce copious seed . As bloom slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the works to get seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dull stem mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By part the root system , you could make new plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split up in either outflow or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that need a soil case not observe in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and prominent enough to grant root development and growth as well as proportional Libra between the fully developed flora and the container . found large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh sieve , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) draw moisture pronto and evenly when slopped . If water supply run off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you opine .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the purse or home in a bath or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow for flora , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil demarcation when projection is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nicety through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , picture , water necessary , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colour trust , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The good times to implant are spring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with rise top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet atmospheric condition or for colder region , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : organise planting holes with appropriate deepness and blank space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess urine drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and identify the works in the hole , work soil around the ancestor as you fill . If the plant is extremely root truss , separate roots with fingers . A few prick made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep on to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and pee exhaustively , protecting from direct Dominicus until static .
To embed bare - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . ready suitable planting mess , spread roots and work grime among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To implant seedling : A number of perennials raise self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also get down your own seedling layer for transplanting . fix suitable planting jam , spacing fitly for industrial plant development . Gently pilfer the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and piss regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have choose is suited for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will care . commend that the country right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is decelerate . Water the industrial plant well before pop out , so the dirt will hold the root ball together when you slay it from the pile . If you have worry getting the flora out of the green goddess , try running a blade around the edge of the grass , and gently whack the sides to tease apart the filth .
Always use wise soil when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with ground , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their new home .
The size of it passel you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . recall , many plant prefer being somewhat great deal bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the ascendent or the fore at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , diminish lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash off the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 function body of water solution . antimycotic can be used , accord to label counseling . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 300 bollock in a life span of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larva which feed on tippy leaf and prime tissue . This leads to distorted growth , bruise bloom flower petal and previous blossom drop curtain . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun works , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm shower of body of water will wash them off the works . confer your local garden nerve centre professional or county accommodative extension federal agency for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry weather ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to look yellow and stippled . leafage pearl and works death can come with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a sprightliness span of 30 days . They also bring on a web which can comprehend infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis water , particularly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato plant . Always mark off young plants prior to institute them home from the garden heart or greenhouse . Take reward of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and survey all label directions . focus your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally subsist . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muted - bloodless , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery extend . They have piercing / breastfeed mouth parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small firearm of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave and stems offset . They aggress a encompassing range of plant . The young tend to move around until they encounter a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and folio pearl . They also produce a gratifying inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disgraceful surface fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to assist reduce universe levels of mealy germ . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that bet like petite moth , which attack many type of flora . The aviate adult point prefers the underside of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can set up to 500 eggs in a life yoke of 2 months . If a flora is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is raise up . whitefly can undermine a flora , eventually lead to establish death if they are not checked . They can carry many harmful industrial plant virus . They also raise a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can direct to an untempting black surface fungous growth call pitchy mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plant away from non - infested plant ; habituate a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowish gluey placard , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear unfluctuating exhibitor of body of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may corrode holes in leave , strip entire root , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding station such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady stead and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clump of small semitransparent empyrean ) and adult during gloam and dawn . dress out beer cakehole from late spring through twilight .
Many chemical controls are useable on the market , but can be vicious and mortal for children and pets ; take tutelage when using them - always say the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate Inner Light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or hoary fungus is ordinarily come up on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and outer space plant decent so they receive adequate light and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . enforce fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes life-threatening and come after focus exactly , not missing any postulate intervention . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all farewell , bloom , or debris in the crepuscle and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or contraband spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a H2O sop or yellow - edged show . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and toss out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spot , expend a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they line up a good alimentation site . The adult females then misplace their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweetened substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can precede to an unattractive black open fungous increment called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once shew they are hard to control . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their command . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , plate , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave-taking and halt of the industrial plant . The best style to moderate sooty mold is to hold the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leave with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end atomizer .
