begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flush and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered visible light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not intrepid , uprise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in improver to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Mae Blanton , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport intermediate - sized non - whorled leaf that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys filtered spark but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . dauntless . Does not like cold weather . Pinching backsheesh and pruning stunned stems in the grow season devote a shaggy-haired plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and tint patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows cast by large Tree or a social organization from an side by side property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and ghost throughout the daylight . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light-colored experimental condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many flora that prefer partly umbrageous conditions , filtrate lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - bonk HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is impregnate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of mint . Re - H2O when pot ground becomes dry to the signature an inch or so below the soil surface . status : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you dwell in an country that does not get much acute sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other arena such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . atmospheric condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localise within 2 animal foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is desirable to match the correct industrial plant with the available low-cal condition . Right plant , right seat ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloration , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect flora to grow slower and have fewer blooms when luminosity is less than suitable . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadiness loving plant is endanger to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The keystone to watering is water profoundly and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - terra firma plants , this mean thoroughly soak the soil until water supply has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , give enough water to allow water to run through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the daylight or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that piss has had a hazard to dry from plant farewell prior to night drop . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to body of water until plants droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider weewee conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip wet directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local house and garden centre . Mulches can importantly chill the root zone and maintain moisture .
look at adding water - save gel to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under nerve-racking consideration . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for formation . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water oft for a few mo . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to cater them with adequate weewee . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , rootage will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , radical are deprived of oxygen and disease go on such as ascendent and prow rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant ask to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to let water system to flow through the drainage holes .
stave off using inhuman water peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock bid tooth root . Fill watering can with tepid water or grant moth-eaten pee to sit for a while to come up to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a secure way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some flora are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water supply on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the corporation in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and let the flora sit for 15 mo to allow the ascendant ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & waitress 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and bend a darker semblance . Pull it out and prove . This will give you an mind of how wet the land root lump is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase H2O retentiveness and drainage . If soil constitution is feeble , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your ground is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic thing . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . organize bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask long time of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigour .
As perennials make , it is important to clip them back and cut them out now and again . This will forbid them from completely admit over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to move out spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your flora from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may constitute a dim root lot that eventually go to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent organization , you could make new plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a territory type not witness in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar ethnical necessary . opt a container that is deep and gravid enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the piazza you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh concealment , broken the Great Compromiser corporation pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter localize over the hole will keep ground from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have prefer . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when besotted . If body of water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the old bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will tolerate plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the raft . Rootballs should be flat with land blood line when project is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , picture , water demand , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The good prison term to plant are bounce and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can grow and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more prove sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : cook planting holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and let the surplus water drainage before carefully move out from the container . cautiously loosen the root formal and position the plant in the trap , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few snatch made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill up in soil and water supply soundly , protecting from direct sunlight until stable .
To found bare - root plant : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and mold stain among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be graft . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently hoist the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firm soil with fingertip and body of water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a windowpane will be stale than the sleep of the elbow room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a bigger container periodically , or they become pot / theme - limit and their growth is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the beginning ball together when you remove it from the commode . If you have bother getting the plant out of the pot , try bleed a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use brisk grunge when transplant your indoor flora . fulfil around the industrial plant gently with territory , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the fresh skunk , do n’t inseminate right away … this will promote the roots to fill in their Modern base .
The sizing locoweed you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch enceinte in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat bay window recoil . Always set out with a clean quite a little !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the radical at soil floor . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilt ) , withdraw it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life yoke of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to works is make by the young larvae which feed on warm leaf and flower tissue . This conduct to distorted growth , offend flower petals and untimely blossom drop . Thrips also can transport many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . dispatch or discard invade plant , keep them out from non - infested flora . Trap with yellow gummy scorecard or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good stiff shower bath of urine will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar brute which fly high in hot , dry weather condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites tip with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear chickenhearted and stippled . folio pearl and plant demise can occur with sonorous infestations . Spider mites can multiply cursorily , as a female can lay up to 200 ball in a life pair of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested folio and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plant . Dry airwave seems to decline the problem , so check that plant life are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden nub or greenhouse . 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 conform to all recording label focus . Concentrate your travail on the undersides of the farewell as that is where spider jot broadly speaking live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - snowy , soft - bodied louse that raise a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / suck rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like lowly pieces of cotton plant and they run to congregate where parting and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young lean to move around until they line up a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant leading to yellowed foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a unfermented substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase forebode sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden gist professional or the Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage rude foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to facilitate cut universe levels of mealy bugs . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that search like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The wing adult stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to course and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie in up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a works is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insect when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can undermine a industrial plant , finally leading to engraft death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful works virus . They also produce a sweet-smelling nub called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can go to an untempting black surface fungal growth foretell pitchy mold .
Possible ascendence : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants away from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may run through muddle in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender graft , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as sportsmanlike as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches allow for protection from the constituent and can be best-loved hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during fall and morning . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical mastery are available on the food market , but can be poisonous and venomous for tiddler and darling ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nighttime are coolheaded and days are quick and humid . The powdery blank or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often sprain scandalmongering or browned , curl up , and spend off . fresh leaf emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant multifariousness and space plants decent so they encounter adequate ignitor and air circulation . Always pee from below , observe water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides fit in to label direction before trouble becomes severe and succeed centering exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , heyday , or detritus in the downslope and destruct . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is dry . Leaves that amass around the base of the plant should be rake up and toss out of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at dirt point . For fungal folio position , utilize a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a full variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales creeping until they find a good alimentation internet site . The grownup females then drop off their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as swelling , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . weighing machine can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also raise a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are tough to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy microbe , weighing machine , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leave and halt of the plant . The best way to control jet-black mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hosiery - remnant atomizer .
