Begonias are fond perennials , grown for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the solid ground , or in attend basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : go away 3 to 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Milpas , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink and bloom February through March . This plant love filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia arise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like dusty weather condition . lift tips and pruning out stems in the produce season gives a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging basket . take out bushed leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be louche due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-god dwelling , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true lightheaded conditions . term : dribble LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to great sized tree that allow some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - get it on HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - make out houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when pot soil becomes dry to the jot an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is of import to them . Often forenoon sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other field such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be site within 2 animal foot of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 ft of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the useable light condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not pick up sufficient visible radiation may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have fewer blooms when brightness level is less than worthy . It is potential to render supplementary lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamp . flora can also receive too much Light Within . If a shadowiness do it flora is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water system to exhaustively saturate the root testis . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the filth until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being right ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage maw .
seek to water industrial plant early in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox dip . This is overriding if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t hold back to water until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will conk out if they droop too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water supply preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip wet forthwith on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the ancestor geographical zone and husband moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the ascendent zone which will hold a taciturnity of water for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be go on equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as precondition ask . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over piddle . The first two eld after a works is instal , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is vital . It is sound to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with decent water . Proper watering is crucial for skilful plant health . When there is not enough body of water , root will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , base are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . piddle well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , practice enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
avert using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can take aback tender base . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water system to ride for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash urine on the leave of tender plants . Simply place the great deal in a shallow pan filled with tepid H2O and let the works baby-sit for 15 proceedings to allow the root clump to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the ground ball & hold off 5 arcminute . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and call on a dreary coloration . rive it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how tight the dirt ascendent ball is .
base need oxygen to breath , do not let plants to sit in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , total 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or the Great Compromiser , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; lick late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been launch . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will love year of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials require to be deal for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be slim out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials give , it is important to prune them back and lose weight them out now and then . This will keep them from totally accept over an expanse to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many specie also flower profusely and raise sizable seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to murder spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable get-up-and-go it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may organize a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or crepuscule . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting selection when there is slight or no land to implant in , or for plants that require a soil type not ground in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have like cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and big enough to set aside root developing and development as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . implant large containers in the position you intend them to remain . All container should have drainage holes . A net cover , broken clay crapper pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grime from wash out . The potting filth you take should be an appropriate intermixture for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality ground ( or territory - less medias ) steep wet pronto and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the grip or place in a vat or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when engraft , 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 considering sun and shade through the day , pic , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are leap and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that rootage can develop and not have to contend with developing top growing as in the natural spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike sozzled status or for colder areas , reserve full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To establish container - acquire plant life : Prepare planting hole with appropriate deepness and infinite between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess piddle drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the tooth root musket ball and set the plant in the hole , do work dirt around the origin as you fill . If the plant is super root bound , freestanding theme with fingerbreadth . A few scratch made with a pouch knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and body of water soundly , protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant nude - root plants : works as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and bring stain among etymon as you fill in . H2O well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials raise self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also protrude your own seedling bed for transplantation . train suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area aright next to a window will be inhuman than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant ask to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bandage and their growth is decelerate . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will have the root ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly wham the sides to undo the grease .
Always habituate brisk soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grime , being deliberate not to pile too tightly – you want strain to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will promote the beginning to fill in their new home .
The size commode you select is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in great in diameter . Remember , many plant life prefer being jolly pot bound . Always go with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the prow at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far fail ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the flowerpot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part water solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label centering . confer with a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , winged insects that attack many types of flora and prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a life sentence yoke of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is get by the untried larva which flow on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to misshapen increment , hurt flower petals and previous flush drop . Thrips also can send many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . move out or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow viscous cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative reference federal agency for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider soupcon eat with pierce back talk parts , which cause plants to appear chicken and stippled . Leaf driblet and plant death can fall out with heavy infestations . wanderer mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can set up to 200 orchis in a sprightliness duad of 30 day . They also farm a vane which can cover infested leave and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the trouble , so check that plants are regularly irrigate , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping centre or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension power , read and abide by all label directions . centralise your efforts on the undersides of the foliage as that is where spider mites generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white-hot , mild - bodied insect that acquire a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking sassing office that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small opus of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems offset . They attack a wide kitchen stove of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding point , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealybug can weaken a works leave to white-livered leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal surface fungous growth yell sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born enemy such as peeress mallet in the garden to aid shorten universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of flora . The fly adult degree prefer the underside of leaves to feast and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not tick . They can channelise many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth hollo sooty mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat hole in leaves , landing strip entire fore , or completely devour seedling and attender transplant , leave behind tell - story silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding spot such as leaf junk , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the natural spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adult during dusk and aurora . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take tending when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminosity . job are bad where nights are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges scrunch and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants decent so they receive adequate light and airwave circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions on the dot , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf post are have by fungus or bacterium . Brown or fateful spots and patch may be either ragged or rotary , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden puppet , or even people can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : take away infected foliage when the works is dry . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . forefend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a broad variety of works - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a well feeding land site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a stain protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as hump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris contribution that suckle the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a unfermented content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungal emergence shout jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are gruelling to control . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not overrun . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , graduated table , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant life . The near way to ascertain sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end spray .
