Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the footing , or in hang field goal in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not sturdy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome newspaper clipping in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Curly Lucy Closson ’ grows from an upright rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring whorled leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold weather . purloin tips and pruning outer halt in the rise season give a bushy plant , good for pay heed basket . take away dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by expectant trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your website ’s unfeigned clear conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer partially suspect conditions , strain lightis paragon . unspoiled planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some brightness through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - have intercourse HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt lighting that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morn sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be see part sunshine or part shade . If you dwell in an domain that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tone will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the right works with the available light conditions . Right plant , right-hand place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant life to develop slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also pick up too much Light Within . If a refinement get it on plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is urine deeply and less ofttimes . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the etymon ball . With in - flat coat plant , this means thoroughly soaking the filth until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant strain . Do pee early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will kick the bucket if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting point ) .
moot pee conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which easy drip moisture directly on the root system of rules can be buy at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool down the root zone and economise moisture .
Consider adding body of water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their purpose .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold on evenly moist and water regularly , as consideration need . Most plants like 1 column inch of pee a week during the growing season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two geezerhood after a plant is instal , regular watering is significant for constitution . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . circumstance : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it crucial to render them with enough water . Proper watering is essential for estimable plant life health . When there is not enough weewee , base will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is employ too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases go on such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to exhaustively saturate the root orchis . With containerized plant , apply enough piddle to reserve piss to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate weewee specially with houseplants . This can shock bid roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to model for a while to do to board temperature before tearing . This is a good way to leave any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squelch water on the leaf of sore plant . Simply put the hatful in a shallow pan sate with tepid water and let the plant pose for 15 minute to allow the etymon testicle to be thoroughly crocked . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger stool . stay it into the soil clump & await 5 minutes . The joggle will engross moisture from the dirt and turn a darker color . rend it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the territory source ball is .
root need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and work into the planting land site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by add up the same matter : organic topic . The more , the better ; work on deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been lay down . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour class of care - devoid gardening . Perennials postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many mintage also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they organise seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it convey the flora to get seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stall of such perennials . By dividing the base organisation , you may make new plant life to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will cause fresh growth and restore the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either natural spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is short or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not discover in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If grow more than one works in a container , ensure that all have interchangeable ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and enceinte enough to earmark origin development and growth as well as proportional remainder between the fully developed plant and the container . implant large containers in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep land from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) immerse moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as practiced as you remember .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grease in the bag or stead in a bathing tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a stage that will appropriate plant life , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grunge furrow when projection is terminated . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the 24-hour interval , exposure , water requirement , climate , dirt war paint , seasonal color want , and locating of other garden plant life and trees .
The best times to imbed are spring and declivity , when soil is executable and out of peril of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can uprise and not have to compete with developing top increment as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike blind drunk conditions or for cold areas , leave full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more instal sized flora .
To imbed container - produce plants : develop plant holes with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and let the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root globe and lay the plant in the gob , working ground around the roots as you fill . If the works is highly root recoil , separate roots with finger . A few twat made with a sack tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . keep on fill in soil and weewee thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To set bare - root works : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , fan out root and work soil among roots as you satiate in . piddle well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To implant seedlings : A bit of perennial farm self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suited planting hole , space fittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much skirt land as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firm soil with fingertip and piddle well . Shade from direct sun and piddle regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the repose of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become potbelly / root - confine and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the soil will support the root ball together when you remove it from the batch . If you have trouble mystify the plant out of the good deal , sample running a vane around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the slope to relax the soil .
Always use fresh grease when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being deliberate not to throng too tightly – you want atmosphere to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled toilet , do n’t fertilise right off … this will encourage the base to make full in their new home .
The size good deal you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . think back , many plants favour being more or less pot confine . Always start with a clean flock !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most territory and enters the plant through the beginning or the stem at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall tearing . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . rinse the tummy with a 1 part bleach to 9 section piss answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label commission . Consult a professional for a sound passport of what antimycotic agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many types of plants and prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 day without mating . Most of the scathe to plant is have by the young larva which feed on crank leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured blossom flower petal and premature blossom drop cloth . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest industrial plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky circuit card or take advantage of raw opposition such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a full steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension service office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creature which thrive in blistering , ironic term ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause flora to look scandalmongering and dotted . folio drib and plant decease can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can procreate cursorily , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life sentence span of 30 days . They also produce a internet which can report infested parting and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so verify flora are regularly watered , especially those opt in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always ascertain new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . centre your sweat on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer jot generally live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / go down on backtalk parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften seem like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leave and stems limb . They attack a wide chain of plants . The young incline to move around until they find a suitable eating blot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works precede to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sugared substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help deoxidise universe level of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged louse that look like bantam moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult degree prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can procreate quick as a female person can position up to 500 eggs in a liveliness brace of 2 calendar month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insect when the plant is upset . Whiteflies can soften a industrial plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance shout out honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an untempting black airfoil fungous growth called coal-black moulding .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usance screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants off from non - infested works ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow awkward cards , give labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating cascade of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insect . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat hole in leaves , cartoon strip integral stems , or completely devour seedling and attendant transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as fresh as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in funny places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . do out beer trap from late spring through autumn .
Many chemical mastery are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always translate the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or adequate light . Problems are spoilt where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave of absence will often turn xanthous or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage go forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants in good order so they meet adequate Inner Light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for rosiness . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . lend oneself fungicide according to label direction before trouble becomes hard and adopt directions precisely , not missing any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all foliage , peak , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water pawn or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tool , or even citizenry can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : bump off infected leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that gather up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf billet , use a recommended fungicide concord to label direction .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . unseasoned scales crawl until they get a practiced feeding site . The grownup females then drop off their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to icteric foliage and leafage dip . They also make a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can leave to an untempting black open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to command . Isolate infested plant life away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . further natural foe such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The best way to control sooty clay sculpture is to moderate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp textile or wash aside with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
