Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colored flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in tidy sum , in the flat coat , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stalwart , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lowe ’s Star , ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , scissure leaves . The flowers are pink and bloom spring through summertime . This plant enjoys filtered lighter but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias produce very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning prohibited stem in the grow season gives a bushier plant life , effective for hanging basket . get rid of utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shadiness patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows shed by large Tree or a social organisation from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a young home or just begin to garden in your old home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s rightful unclouded conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially shady conditions , separate out lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some lightness through their branches or beneath taller plant that will supply some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the signature an column inch or so below the land surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is authoritative to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be think part sun or part nuance . If you populate in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day picture may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph windowpane . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life functioning , it is desirable to pair the correct industrial plant with the available faint conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not get sufficient Inner Light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have fewer rosiness when light is less than worthy . It is possible to put up subsidiary firing for indoor works with lamps . Plants can also receive too much luminousness . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The samara to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to soundly saturate the base nut . With in - basis plants , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough urine to take into account water to course through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants betimes in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and rationalize down on plant stress . Do urine early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t look to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water system preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet right away on the root system can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - keep gels to the ancestor zone which will bind a reserve of pee for the industrial plant . These can make a human beings of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to pursue label directions for their consumption .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as consideration require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is put in , veritable lacrimation is crucial for formation . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deep , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to render them with enough weewee . right lachrymation is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough body of water , base will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are divest of oxygen and diseases come such as root and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water harmonise to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piss to soundly saturate the base ball . With containerized works , apply enough water to give up water to flow through the drain maw .
obviate using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock attendant roots . filling watering can with tepid body of water or give up cold water to sit for a while to number to room temperature before watering . This is a good way of life to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are comfortably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This annul splashing piss on the leaf of sensitive plants . Simply pose the muckle in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you find when to re - water larger tummy . cohere it into the filth ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the grime and turn a non-white people of color . Pull it out and test . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil solution ball is .
Roots postulate atomic number 8 to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fulfil with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water retention and drain . If dirt composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is guts or mud , it can be better by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; exercise deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish days of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials take to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that discern perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all take over an country to the excommunication of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower profusely and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove expend peak before they form source . This will prevent your works from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable push it takes the works to bring forth seed .
As perennials age , they may work a dense radical mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slenderize out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By separate the root organization , you’re able to make fresh plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully fraction in either spring or decline . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting option when there is slight or no soil to plant in , or for plant that call for a soil case not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative remainder between the to the full developed plant life and the container . Plant large containers in the spot you intend them to remain . All containers should have drain cakehole . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep ground from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have select . Quality soil ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If piddle run off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your land may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a vat or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will grant plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the sess . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shadowiness through the solar day , photograph , water requirements , climate , dirt physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The unspoiled times to plant are spring and dip , when soil is viable and out of danger of hoarfrost . surrender planting have the advantage that base can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant life .
To constitute container - grown plant : organize planting hole with appropriate depth and quad between . Water the industrial plant exhaustively and let the excess piddle waste pipe before carefully remove from the container . cautiously loosen the ascendant orchis and place the plant in the maw , working land around the roots as you sate . If the plant life is exceedingly root restrict , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be restrain to a minimum . proceed meet in soil and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant bare - root works : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . get up desirable planting mess , spread roots and work out grime among roots as you fill in . body of water well and protect from verbatim sunlight until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also begin your own seedling bottom for transplanting . set up suitable planting holes , space suitably for plant life growth . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and body of water well . Shade from unmediated Lord’s Day and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the consideration you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the sphere right next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a orotund container sporadically , or they become smoke / theme - adhere and their growth is retard . irrigate the works well before starting , so the stain will adjudge the root testicle together when you remove it from the lot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try on run a blade around the bound of the throne , and softly whacking the sides to undo the soil .
Always employ fresh stain when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the ascendent . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilise right aside … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new home .
The size pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch heavy in diam . think of , many plants prefer being jolly tummy leap . Always start with a clean tidy sum !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most territory and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far function ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the stain too . lave the passel with a 1 part bleach to 9 constituent water solution . antifungal agent can be used , grant to label counselling . Consult a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that aggress many types of flora and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce apace as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the scathe to plant is because of the untried larvae which fertilize on tender leafage and bloom tissue . This lead to distorted ontogeny , wound flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize test on windows to keep them out . get rid of or discard infest plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky visiting card or take reward of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a right steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension agency for legal chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which expand in raging , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites flow with pierce back talk parts , which have plants to look yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant end can come about with cloggy infestations . wanderer mites can manifold quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twosome of 30 days . They also acquire a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the trouble , so check that plants are regularly water , particularly those opt high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all recording label counseling . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider hint by and large live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , piano - corporate insects that give rise a waxy powdery cut through . They have piercing / sucking mouth component part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems limb . They snipe a wide compass of plant . The young tend to move around until they see a suited feeding slur , then they flow out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellowish foliation and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous increment called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage raw opposition such as lady beetles in the garden to help thin population levels of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , wing dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which assail many type of plants . The flying adult stage favour the bottom of leaves to flow and stock . Whiteflies can manifold speedily as a female can put down up to 500 eggs in a life duad of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to set last if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungous growth called sooty mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; take overrun plant away from non - infested plant ; employ a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage raw enemy such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady cascade of water will wash out them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat kettle of fish in leaves , landing strip intact stem , or totally devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding position such as folio debris , over - call on raft , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch allow for security from the component and can be favorite concealment home . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of low semitransparent domain ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through drop .
Many chemical dominance are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and lethal for tiddler and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough aura circulation or adequate Inner Light . problem are unfit where nights are nerveless and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and cut down off . raw leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and line circulation . Always water from below , hold water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides harmonise to label way before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and off all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or opprobrious spot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a urine soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , cheating garden instrument , or even people can assist its feast .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the substructure of the works should be crease up and disposed of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf floater , use a urge fungicide according to recording label way .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide mixture of works - indoor and outdoor . youthful scale crawling until they find a good feeding web site . The grownup females then lose their ramification and remain on a daub protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the downcast sides of leaves . They have pierce rima oris parts that take up the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant lead to yellow foliage and leafage drop curtain . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their ascendancy . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is happen on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanize the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hosiery - remainder nebulizer .
