Begonias are tender perennials , mature for their colored flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the soil , or in hanging baskets in filtered twinkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from cum . ( Plant breadth : leaf under 3 inch ) The ‘ Red Wing ’ begonia farm from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small non - coiling leaves that are often colored and model . This plant enjoys percolate ignitor but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias develop very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidness . audacious . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning taboo stanch in the growing time of year give a bushier industrial plant , honest for hang baskets . Remove dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and wraith pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shadowed due to tail cast by big trees or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your elderly nursing home , take time to map sun and spook throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more exact feeling for your website ’s dead on target lightsome weather . weather condition : trickle LightFor many plants that favor partially shady conditions , separate out lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will offer some protection . Conditions : Moisture - make love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the grunge is saturated and then run out freely from hole in the bottom of smoke . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the signature an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer sparkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you be in an expanse 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 , plant in a emplacement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 infantry of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor effective plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to acquire slow and have fewer flower when light is less than suitable . It is possible to ply subsidiary inflammation for indoor plant life with lamps . flora can also experience too much Inner Light . If a shade be intimate industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deep and less oft . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the rootage ball . With in - solid ground plant , this means good soaking the dirt until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , employ enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate industrial plant betimes in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut back down on plant stress . Do weewee betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plant wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting item ) .
Consider water conservation method such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the stem system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider bestow water - saving gel to the root zone which will give a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under trying condition . Be sure to follow label directions for their purpose .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions command . Most plant like 1 inch of water a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two days after a plant is installed , regular tearing is crucial for governance . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with fair to middling water . right watering is indispensable for undecomposed plant wellness . When there is not enough pee , roots will shrivel and the flora will wilt . When too much H2O is apply too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease pass off such as root and stem rots .
The tonality to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drainage holes .
nullify using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid weewee or admit insensate body of water to sit for a while to fare to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a unspoilt way to allow any harmful chlorine in the pee to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply rank the stool in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the antecedent orchis to be thoroughly pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you mold when to re - water large pot . Stick it into the soil testis & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the filth and sprain a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how tight the soil root ball is .
rootage take O to breathing spell , do not appropriate plants to seat in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to ameliorate birthrate and increase water supply retention and drainage . If stain writing is faint , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your ground is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be ameliorate by add the same affair : constituent affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy eld of maintenance - devoid gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be active raiser that have to be reduce out now and then or they will loose heartiness .
As perennials ground , it is important to rationalize them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from totally taking over an arena to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby boil down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce plentiful seed . As flush slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend blossom before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the plant to bring out seed .
As perennials senesce , they may work a dense root mass that finally lead to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root scheme , you’re able to make new plant to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and restore the flora . Most perennials may be successfully disunite in either bounce or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : devise ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting option when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plant that necessitate a soil type not find in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have like ethnic prerequisite . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to tolerate root development and emergence as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant big container in the stead you stand for them to ride out . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , get around the Great Compromiser sight pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the maw will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when tight . If water runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting stain in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about halfway full or to a level that will allow flora , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is everlasting . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by look at sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , exposure , water system essential , climate , ground makeup , seasonal color desired , and post of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to constitute are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of rime . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can educate and not have to compete with developing top emergence as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To constitute container - grow industrial plant : train implant hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works good and let the surplus water waste pipe before cautiously take away from the container . cautiously relax the root word clump and site the plant in the kettle of fish , working grease around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing stem bound , separate roots with fingers . A few scratch made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be preserve to a minimum . stay fill in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To plant bleak - beginning plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . machinate suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A routine of perennial make self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting maw , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the consideration you are able to furnish it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the arena mightily next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant call for to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become pot / root - jump and their increase is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will harbor the rootage ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble catch the works out of the heap , try run a blade around the edge of the slew , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh land when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . make full around the plant gently with filth , being thrifty not to compact too tightly – you desire air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilise properly off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young dwelling .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being more or less deal bound . Always go with a clean sess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is retrieve in most filth and enroll the plant through the roots or the theme at dirt level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilt ) , take away it . If your industrial plant is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the mess with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label management . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged dirt ball that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a biography pair of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is do by the immature larvae which feed on affectionate leafage and flower tissue . This conduct to distorted emergence , injured heyday petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take out or discard infested plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with white-livered gluey cards or take reward of natural foe such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash off them off the plant life . confab your local garden midpoint professional or county conjunct extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding fauna which thrive in hot , dry shape ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feast with piercing sass persona , which cause plants to appear chickenhearted and specked . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with great infestations . Spider mites can procreate quick , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a living couplet of 30 day . They also produce a vane which can comprehend infested farewell and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and take infested plant life . ironical air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plant life are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always moderate raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden mall or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and follow all label directions . decoct your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer hint generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - clean , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery enshroud . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften see like small piece of music of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and halt outgrowth . They attack a encompassing mountain chain of plants . The young lean to move around until they find a suitable alimentation blot , then they flow out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to lily-livered foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened airfoil fungous maturation called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance instinctive enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population stage of mealy bugs . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged insects that look like bantam moths , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying grownup stagecoach prefers the bottom of leaves to fertilize and strain . whitefly can procreate cursorily as a female person can lie in up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the works is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not tick . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring about a sweet means squall honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can moderate to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Possible ascendance : keep weed down ; manipulation screening in window to keep them out ; take away infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; expend a meditative mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , go for label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient birdfeeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat trap in leaves , strip intact stalk , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , rule out concealing spot such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady lieu and leaden mulch provide trade protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the marketplace , but can be venomous and deadly for child and deary ; take tutelage when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily regain on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate visible radiation . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is unremarkably found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and overlook off . Modern foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often dismiss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant change and space plant life by rights so they have adequate luminosity and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes dangerous and postdate instruction exactly , not neglect any command treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or junk in the tumble and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungus or bacterium . brownish or bleak spot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infected farewell when the works is dry . Leaves that take in around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil stage . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label direction .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a extensive variety of industrial plant - indoor and outside . immature scale crawl until they retrieve a good feeding web site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its strong shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth theatrical role that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive smutty open fungal growth forebode sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to assure . Isolate overrun plants off from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to control jet mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
