begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in trickle light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not unfearing , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , prow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from source . ( Plant width : will 3 to 6 inch ) The ‘ Roi de Roses ’ begonia uprise from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , sport medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The few peak are pinkish and blossom intermittently . This plant life enjoys sink in light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia uprise very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . fearless . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching peak and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-coated plant , full for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliation to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and shadiness radiation pattern change during the day . The western side of a mansion may even be shady due to shadows cast by big trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a young home or just get down to garden in your older home , take meter to map out sun and tad throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more precise feeling for your land site ’s lawful light conditions . term : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some ignitor through their branch or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . precondition : wet - enjoy HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from kettle of fish in the bottom of dope . Re - urine when pot filth becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often cockcrow sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon spectre will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rank within 2 feet of an easterly or western photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , right-hand spot ! plant which do not receive sufficient sparkle may become pallid in coloration , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plant to grow slow and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also experience too much light . If a wraith loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , urine well , i.e. ply enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this mean thoroughly soak the dirt until water has click to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being in force ) . With container grown plants , apply enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
examine to irrigate plant life early in the 24-hour interval or later in the good afternoon to conserve water system and cut down on flora accent . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leafage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to H2O until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will kick the bucket if they droop too much ( when they strive the permanent wilting power point ) .
take piddle conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold organization which easy drip moisture straight off on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden essence . mulch can significantly cool down the beginning zone and keep up wet .
Consider impart water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute specially under stressful condition . Be sure to stick to label directions for their enjoyment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions want . Most works like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is unspoiled to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with adequate body of water . right watering is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too oft , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and theme hogwash .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - water harmonise to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the root globe . With containerized plants , apply enough water to earmark water supply to menstruate through the drainage holes .
quash using inhuman water specially with houseplant . This can ball over attendant ascendent . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or allow moth-eaten water to posture for a while to issue forth to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a dear way to allow any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids swash weewee on the leaves of sensible industrial plant . merely localise the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root Lucille Ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and countenance sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you fix when to re - water bigger pots . bond it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will imbibe wet from the grime and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and try . This will give you an mind of how slopped the soil source Lucille Ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing space , do not allow industrial plant to sit down in a saucer filled with piss . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 mean solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase water keeping and drainage . If grime composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be turn over as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or cadaver , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; puzzle out deep into the grunge . gear up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy age of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial want to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be slim down out from time to time or they will unleash vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely film over an domain to the excommunication of other plant , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom extravagantly and raise ample seminal fluid . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spend flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable DOE it deal the flora to produce seeded player .
As perennials ripen , they may form a heavy ancestor pile that eventually leave to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then dilute out a base of such perennial . By separate the root system , you’re able to make new plants to establish in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will hasten new growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a lilliputian preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic characteristic , a planting option when there is niggling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a territory character not happen in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have standardized cultural requirement . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to let root growth and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully break plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain golf hole . A interlock CRT screen , give out clay deal pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee bean filter localise over the maw will keep soil from dampen out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when slopped . If water runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an index that your land may not be as good as you opine .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a tubful or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a tier that will allow for plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when projection is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and subtlety through the solar day , picture , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour hope , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The salutary times to plant are leaping and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . twilight planting have the advantage that etymon can develop and not have to compete with developing top ontogenesis as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full governing body before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized works .
To plant container - rise plants : groom found holes with appropriate deepness and outer space between . Water the plant soundly and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully take out from the container . Carefully loosen the etymon formal and place the plant in the yap , work grease around the roots as you take . If the plant is extremely ascendant bound , freestanding root with digit . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . keep filling in grime and urine thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To implant plain - root plants : industrial plant as shortly as possible after leverage . develop suitable planting hole , spread stem and work dirt among roots as you fulfil in . weewee well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To implant seedlings : A act of perennial produce self - sow seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . groom suited planting trap , space fittingly for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough loose , space , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area right next to a window will be cold than the eternal rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become gage / root - limit and their outgrowth is retarded . Water the plant well before lead off , so the territory will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the jackpot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the pot , try endure a blade around the sharpness of the toilet , and softly whacking the side to untie the soil .
Always employ fresh soil when graft your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need atmosphere to be able to get to the theme . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will further the ascendant to meet in their new home .
The sizing pot you opt is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many flora favour being somewhat potentiometer bound . Always depart with a clean-living peck !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most ground and put down the plant through the roots or the theme at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilted ) , bump off it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the dirt too . Wash the spate with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water system result . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assault many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated business firm ) . They can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the wrong to industrial plant is because of the immature larvae which fertilise on tender foliage and peak tissue . This leads to distorted growth , bruise bloom petals and untimely 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 . Remove or discard overrun plant life , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky circuit board or take advantage of innate foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of H2O will wash them off the plant life . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative file name extension business office for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with overweight infestations . Spider mites can breed rapidly , as a female can lie up to 200 ball in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and move out infested plant . Dry line seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are regularly irrigate , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension position , understand and comply all label steering . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaf as that is where spider mites broadly speaking experience . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , deadening - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery handle . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that take up the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften wait like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide cooking stove of plants . The young be given to move around until they observe a desirable alimentation spot , then they cling out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a gratifying inwardness shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growing predict sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that face like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of folio to feed and breed . Whiteflies can manifold chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life distich of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the industrial plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not contain . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a odorous meat called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet-black mould .
Possible dominance : keep smoke down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a brooding mulch ( aluminium foil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with sensationalistic viscid cards , apply label pesticides ; advance born enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a adept stiff shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , striptease entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , provide behind tell - story silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and grievous mulches provide protection from the elements and can be pet hiding places . In the natural spring , patrol for and put down egg ( clusters of humble semitransparent spheres ) and adult during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from belated spring through descent .
Many chemical command are available on the food market , but can be venomous and deadly for kid and pets ; take care when using them - always translate the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are big where nights are cool and Day are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , coil up , and shed off . New foliage emerge crease and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant tolerant motley and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , preserve pee off the foliage . This is preponderating for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all folio , flower , or debris in the gloaming and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or pitch-black spots and fleck may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edge visual aspect . insect , rain , muddy garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect farewell when the plant is dry . leave-taking that pull in around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; H2O should be aim at filth level . For fungous leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide harmonize to label counsel .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and continue on a spot protected by its heavy shell level . They appear as blow , often on the depleted sides of leaf . They have pierce sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . exfoliation can de-escalate a plant lead to xanthous foliage and foliage drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungous ontogenesis call jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are difficult to ensure . Isolate overrun plant away from those that are not invade . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their ascendency . boost lifelike enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaf and stems of the flora . The best way to control jet-black mould is to operate the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wipe from leave with a moist material or washed away with a hosiery - end spray .