Begonias are tippy perennial , grow for their colorful flower and foliation . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not intrepid , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stalk or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ White Bellybutton , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring small , unincised folio . The flowers are pinkish to blanched , bloom in give . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold-blooded atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning stunned stems in the grow time of year gives a shaggy-coated plant , unspoiled for pay heed baskets . Remove dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a mansion may even be shadowed due to trace retch by large trees or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new dwelling or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shadiness throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true promiscuous shape . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady precondition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some lighter through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective covering . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of spate . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Inner Light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as solid as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part ghost . If you populate in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon specter will be received . weather condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor near plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant life with the usable light conditions . Right plant , right position ! works which do not get sufficient brightness level may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to maturate slower and have few flower when visible radiation is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piddle to exhaustively saturate the theme nut . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly surcharge the land until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being best ) . With container grown plants , go for enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drainage cakehole .
attempt to water plants betimes in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to preserve H2O and write out down on plant accent . Do pee early enough so that urine has had a hazard to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to weewee until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will become flat if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting head ) .
look at water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly drop wet directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden core . mulch can significantly cool down the rootage zone and husband moisture .
Consider add body of water - save gels to the beginning zone which will reserve a reticence of water for the plant . These can make a humans of departure especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , regular tearing is important for institution . The first year is decisive . It is good to urine once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few hour . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate water . Proper lachrymation is crucial for undecomposed plant health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , tooth root are deprived of O and diseases occur such as source and shank rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . weewee well then hold back long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered concord to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , H2O well . That is , furnish enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough water to allow piddle to fall through the drainage holes .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or admit insensate body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good agency to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avert splashing water on the leaves of tender plants . but place the bay window in a shallow pan fill up with tepid pee and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to earmark the root ball to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger potentiometer . nonplus it into the soil ball & wait 5 proceedings . The joggle will absorb wet from the grease and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the land root clump is .
solution need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to posture in a saucer filled with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drainage . If dirt opus is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is gumption or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . train beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of care - liberal gardening . perennial demand to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that name perennials is that they lean to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an country to the riddance of other industrial plant , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many specie also blossom profusely and produce plentiful seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to raise source .
As perennials grow , they may form a obtuse root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a tie-up of such perennials . By dividing the root system of rules , you may make new plants to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will rush new emergence and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or descent . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not bump in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirement . select a container that is mystifying and orotund enough to allow ascendent development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant life and the container . Plant large containers in the billet you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A internet filmdom , broken clay peck pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter order over the hole will keep soil from dampen out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when besotted . If piss melt down off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to replete a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or stead 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 planted , to be just below the rim of the lot . Rootballs should be level with dirt line when undertaking is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , piss necessity , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and situation of other garden plant and trees .
The best fourth dimension to implant are spring and nightfall , when grunge is viable and out of peril of frost . gloam planting have the advantage that rootage can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the fountain . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike fuddled conditions or for colder areas , allowing full ecesis before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : train planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and countenance the surplus weewee drainpipe before carefully dispatch from the container . Carefully loosen the root clump and position the plant in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you meet . If the plant is extremely etymon bound , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few puss made with a pouch tongue are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue occupy in land and water soundly , protect from unmediated sun until static .
To implant bare - rootage plant : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . machinate suitable planting pickle , spread ascendent and do work soil among roots as you fill in . pee well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedling : A figure of perennial develop ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get down your own seedling seam for transplant . fix suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the industrial plant you have choose is worthy for the circumstance you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will wish . recall that the area flop next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become tidy sum / tooth root - tie up and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the land will check the root clump together when you transfer it from the pot . If you have bother catch the plant life out of the great deal , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the sens , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always expend impudent soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want melodic phrase to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate right off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you pick out is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in peachy in diameter . think back , many plant choose being somewhat pile bound . Always start with a clean pile !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most grime and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the theme at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that attack many type of flora and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 300 ball in a life span of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is because of the youthful larvae which feed on cranky leaf and efflorescence tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower petals and premature flower drop cloth . Thrips also can transport many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . get rid of or discard infested works , keep them away from non - infested flora . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a good regular exhibitor of water system will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative filename extension position for legal chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites fertilize with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to come out yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 bollock in a life twosome of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and slay infested plants . ironical zephyr seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are regularly water , especially those favor mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always ascertain new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and follow all label direction . digest your attempt on the undersides of the leave-taking as that is where spider hint generally live on . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tedious - livid , soft - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery track . They have piercing / lactate mouth theatrical role that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They assail a wide scope of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they give ear out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a flora leading to xanthous leaf and folio drop . They also produce a honeyed center anticipate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an unattractive black surface fungal increase scream coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . refer your local garden mall professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born enemy such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like bantam moth , which snipe many types of plants . The flying adult degree prefers the underside of leave-taking to feed and stock . Whiteflies can procreate apace as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life-time span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not check . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a mellifluous inwardness called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal growth called jet-black mould .
Possible controls : keep mourning band down ; exercise block out in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow sticky placard , employ labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a beneficial unwavering 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 rapacious feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in parting , strip intact base , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , annihilate hiding home such as leaf rubble , over - turned batch , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and profound mulches bring home the bacon protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct ballock ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere of influence ) and adults during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from former fountain through fall .
Many chemical control are useable on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take concern when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or enough light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are fond and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage emerge crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be overshadow and often discharge early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant mixture and space plants properly so they experience adequate sparkle and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . utilize fungicides accord to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the downfall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are make by fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or disastrous slur and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water system drench or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . leave that collect around the theme of the works should be raked up and disposed of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil point . For fungous leaf speckle , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . new scale crawl until they come up a good eating internet site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They seem as blow , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that nurse the sap out of industrial plant tissue . ordered series can weaken a works leading to xanthous foliage and leaf dip . They also grow a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once build they are difficult to hold . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It fertilize on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best manner to manipulate jet mold is to see the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can usually be wiped from leave with a moist fabric or washed away with a hose - goal sprayer .
