begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cut in improver to being sown from seminal fluid . This bushy begonia has attractive leafage with haired , wide leaves . The flowers are pinkish to whiten . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . Pinching tips and pruning prohibited halt in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging . This works enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . The cultivar , ‘ Alice Manning ’ a weeping begonia , blooms are sensationalistic in not bad cornucopia .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade convention convert during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to trace cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a new home base or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map Sunday and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your web site ’s lawful light conditions . Conditions : percolate LightFor many plants that prefer partly shadowy conditions , filter out lightis apotheosis . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some security . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the solution of a mature stand of Tree or tail ramble by a planetary house or construction . plant that require full shadowiness are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree may pose additional problems ; not only is there no Inner Light , but competition for body of water , nutrient and root space .
fond shademeans that an area receives filter light , often through magniloquent branches of an open originate Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieved by locating a industrial plant beneath an mandrel or lathe - like structure . Shadier side of meat of a construction are usually the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also incline to be a little ice chest . It is not rare for plants that can bear full sun or some Dominicus in cooler mood to command some spectre in lovesome climates due to stress localize on the plant from reduced moisture and undue heat . Conditions : wet - fuck HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then enfeeble freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot dirt becomes dry to the tinge an inch or so below the soil open . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and regenerate .
Pinching is slay the stem tips of a untried plant to encourage ramify . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning necessitate removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on industrial plant disease . The best way to start cutting is to begin by murder dead or diseased woodwind .
Shearing is level the airfoil of a shrub using hired man or electric shears . This is done to assert the desired form of a hedgerow or topiary .
regenerate is remotion of former branches or the overall simplification of the size of a shrub to restore its original kind and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a meter . Remember to remove subdivision from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , rationalize back canes at various height so that works will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to equal the right plant with the available swooning conditions . good plant , right blank space ! Plants which do not receive sufficient spark may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate plants to grow deadening and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to supply auxiliary inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also find too much light . If a wraith loving plant is break to direct sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the problem is only on the surface , it mayhap diverted to a drainage ditch . If drainage is piteous where water table is high , put in an underground drain system . You should contact a contractile organ for this . If surreptitious drains already exist , check to see if they are stuff .
Gallic drains are another option . French drains are ditches that have been filled with gravel . It is fine to plant turf on top of them . More obtrusive , but a expert solution where flavour are n’t as authoritative , retrieve of the Gallic drainage as a ditch filled with gravel . Ditches should be 3 to 4 foot deep and have sloping side .
A soakway is a gravel filled pit where water is diverted to via underground piping . This works well on situation that have compress soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with crushed rock or jam pit , pass with moxie and sod or seeded .
Keep in nous that it is illegal to divert water supply onto other people ’s holding . If you do not feel that you may enforce a workable resolution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman calculate 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most water conscious garden apprize the proper hosiery , watering can or wand .
The key to watering is water profoundly and less often . When lacrimation , H2O well , i.e. provide enough urine to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - earth works , this mean good soaking the soil until water has come home to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , enforce enough water to permit water system to flow through the drain jam .
strain to water flora early in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox evenfall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they make the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling and garden mall . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
look at adding water - save gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water supply for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to watch over label focussing for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as shape require . Most plants like 1 inch of water system a workweek during the rise time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , veritable lacrimation is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is just to water system once a calendar week and water deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to render them with equal water . right watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water system , roots will shrivel and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much pee is applied too frequently , theme are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as origin and stem buncombe .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piss to exhaustively saturate the ancestor lump . With containerized plants , apply enough water supply to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using insensate water specially with houseplant . This can shock supply ship roots . Fill watering can with tepid pee or set aside inhuman water to pose for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a dear way to countenance any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing pee on the leave of sensitive plants . only localize the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to earmark the root bollock to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger peck . cohere it into the stain ball & look 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a dark color . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how wet the stain theme ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing space , do not allow plants to sit in a disc satiate with weewee . This will only promote disease . How - to : Reduce WateringThis plant ask less watering during winter calendar month , so reduce watering from late November through early March .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If grunge paper is weakly , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or cadaver , it can be improved by add together the same matter : organic matter . The more , the in effect ; work deeply into the dirt . Prepare layer to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been institute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other works . One matter that discern perennials is that they run to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will loose vigor .
As perennials make , it is of import to lop them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring forth sizeable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable free energy it takes the plant to bring on come .
As perennial age , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a stand of such perennial . By split the solution system , you could make novel plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of it of the root ball and deep enough to implant at the same level the bush was in the container . If grunge is poor , dig hole even wider and fill with a miscellanea half original soil and one-half compost or filth amendment .
cautiously take shrub from container and lightly separate roots . Position in center of hole , full side face forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , hit fasteners and fold back the top of natural gunny , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make certain that all gunny is bury so that it wo n’t wick water supply aside from rootball during hot , teetotal periods . If semisynthetic gunny , move out if possible . If not potential , edit aside or make slits to provide for roots to evolve into the new ground . For bigger shrub , establish a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the territory line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add up organic matter . This will avail with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to found in , or for plant that require a soil type not constitute in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is subscript . If develop more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is recondite and large enough to set aside root maturation and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay put . All container should have drain holes . A mesh blind , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) take in wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the Clarence Day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that ancestor can develop and not have to contend with developing top ontogeny as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike fuddled stipulation or for moth-eaten areas , allowing full formation before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless plant a more established sized flora .
To plant container - acquire plants : Prepare planting fix with appropriate deepness and place between . Water the works thoroughly and lease the excess weewee drain before carefully take from the container . cautiously loosen the root lump and set the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fulfill . If the industrial plant is extremely root leap , disjoined ancestor with digit . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill up in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sunshine until stable .
To plant scanty - tooth root plant life : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . set up suitable planting holes , spread etymon and exercise soil among beginning as you occupy in . weewee well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - seed seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . gear up desirable planting mess , spacing appropriately for flora development . lightly elevate the seedling and as much fence soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming grunge with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and piddle regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have pick out is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough wanton , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a bombastic container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the filth will sustain the antecedent testis together when you take away it from the great deal . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the deal , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whack the sides to loosen the ground .
Always use brisk dirt when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pile too tightly – you want tune to be able to get to the radical . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always pop out with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the correct prison term to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water result . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label commission . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry term ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is cause by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This extend to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and utilise screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun works , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of urine will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up firm ) . Spider speck feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear xanthous and stippled . folio drop and plant end can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can manifold chop-chop , as a female can put up to 200 eggs in a life couplet of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested plant . ironical breeze seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant are on a regular basis water , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check novel plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and follow all recording label counselling . center your drive on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , mild - incarnate insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / take up mouth office that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems outgrowth . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they observe a worthy feeding pip , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and foliage drop curtain . They also produce a sweet essence call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can conduct to an untempting black control surface fungal growth called coal-black molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden snapper professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost raw enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to assist reduce universe stratum of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that await like petite moths , which attack many types of plant . The flee adult leg prefers the underside of leaf to feed and breed . whitefly can manifold speedily as a female person can rest up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant life , eventually lead to plant death if they are not assure . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a angelic nitty-gritty called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gummy menu , apply tag pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a dear steadfast shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on cakehole in leaves , strip total shank , or completely devour seedling and tender transplanting , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate concealing places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . arrange out beer traps from late spring through dip .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be vicious and mortal for nipper and darling ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . problem are uncollectible where night are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is normally found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . leave of absence will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and put down off . New foliage emerge wrinkle and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often cut down early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank space plants the right way so they invite enough light source and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is predominate for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label direction before job becomes hard and follow instruction exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the free fall and destruct . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . worm , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even masses can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : take infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave of absence that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . quash overhead irrigation if potential ; urine should be lead at ground level . For fungous leaf spot , apply a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a all-encompassing variety show of plant - indoor and out-of-door . youthful scale crawl until they obtain a good eating situation . The adult females then lose their leg and rest on a bit protected by its laborious casing layer . They appear as bump , often on the small sides of leaves . They have pierce mouthpiece constituent that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . ordered series can countermine a works contribute to yellow foliage and foliage pearl . They also make a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can run to an unattractive black surface fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once plant they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leafage . It feed on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leave-taking and stems of the plant . The honorable way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can commonly be wipe from leave with a damp material or wash off with a hosiery - end sprayer .
