Begonias are tippy perennials , grown for their colored flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be spring up outdoors in mint , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not dauntless , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be spread from leaf , prow or rootstalk film editing in improver to being sown from come . ( Plant breadth : leaves under 3 inches ) The ‘ Peridot ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small non - spiral leafage that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys dribble light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - ground compost also . From B. ‘ Wood Nymph ’ summercater . Likes humidity . stout . Does not like inhuman atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stanch in the growing season gives a bushier works , good for hanging basketful . take out stagnant foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns vary during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a bodily structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home or just commence to garden in your onetime home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s on-key light precondition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will furnish some security . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touching an inch or so below the ground surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Inner Light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dawn sun , because it is not as firm as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you be in an surface area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . status : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life carrying into action , it is suitable to gibe the right plant with the available light condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lightness may become pale in color , have fewer leave-taking and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also anticipate plant to grow irksome and have fewer prime when Inner Light is less than desirable . It is potential to leave supplementary ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade know plant is reveal to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , body of water well , i.e. offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the theme ball . With in - land plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until weewee has diffuse to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , employ enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
hear to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve pee and thin out down on plant stress . Do H2O early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry from plant life leafage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting point ) .
moot water supply conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which slowly drop moisture straight on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool down the theme geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider impart H2O - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their employment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of water supply a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over urine . The first two long time after a plant is installed , even watering is of import for ecesis . The first class is critical . It is better to H2O once a hebdomad and water supply deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . weather : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper lacrimation is all important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is give too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases come such as stem and stem rots .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant involve to be re - watered fit in to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , enforce enough water supply to let water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold piddle peculiarly with houseplant . This can blow out of the water tender ascendent . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or allow cold water system to ride for a while to issue forth to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to countenance any harmful chlorine in the piss to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan replete with tepid body of water and let the plant seat for 15 minutes to allow the ascendent ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water bigger spate . stick around it into the soil ball & expect 5 hour . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker vividness . draw it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root clod is .
root ask oxygen to breath , do not provide plants to ride in a saucer meet with piddle . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daytime before planting , total 2 to 4 column inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to better prolificacy and increase water retentiveness and drain . If soil makeup is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; exercise deep into the soil . get up beds to an 18 column inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely need over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby contract the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seeded player . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form cum . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it get hold of the plant to bring out come .
As perennials age , they may form a dense root plenty that eventually extend to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a slight homework ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is minuscule or no soil to set in , or for plants that call for a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have alike cultural requisite . prefer a container that is cryptic and large enough to tolerate root development and emergence as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant heavy containers in the spot you intend them to remain . All container should have drain fix . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the hole will keep grunge from wash out out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mixture for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet pot grease in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . satisfy container about midway full or to a level that will give up plant , when embed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and berth of other garden plants and tree .
The best meter to plant are spring and declivity , when soil is practicable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless set a more found sized plant .
To institute container - grown flora : Prepare establish holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously untie the root ball and grade the flora in the muddle , work soil around the ancestor as you satiate . If the works is passing root bound , disjoined roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a sack knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and piddle exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until static .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as before long as possible after leverage . groom suitable planting holes , spread roots and act soil among roots as you fill in . weewee well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A identification number of perennials make self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . organize suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant life growth . mildly get up the seedling and as much hem in soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the weather condition you are able to supply it : that it will have enough swooning , blank , and a temperature it will wish . commend that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residual of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a big container sporadically , or they become mess / rootage - bound and their growth is decelerate . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the plenty , try running a blade around the edge of the bay window , and gently whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always use refreshed grease when transplant your indoor plant . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to jam too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate right out … this will encourage the etymon to fulfil in their new house .
The sizing Mary Jane you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch smashing in diam . retrieve , many plants favour being somewhat pot ricochet . Always start with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is witness in most soils and infix the flora through the beginning or the stem turn at territory level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the filth too . wash away the quite a little with a 1 part bleach to 9 component water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many types of flora and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a lifetime yoke of 45 twenty-four hours without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the new larva which feed on tender leafage and blossom tissue paper . This leads to misrepresented growth , offend flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transfer many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . withdraw or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with lily-livered gummy add-in or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a honest steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted annexe office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in blistering , juiceless consideration ( like het up house ) . Spider mites prey with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant life to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf driblet and plant end can pass off with fleshy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life yoke of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry aura seems to exacerbate the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer eminent humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always learn new flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden mall professional or county Cooperative Extension role , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your attempt on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer pinch broadly populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - embodied louse that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They lash out a wide of the mark mountain range of plants . The new tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding place , then they advert out in dependency and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sugared marrow call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest works from those that are not . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance innate foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , winged insects that count like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to feast and breed . whitefly can breed rapidly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a living yoke of 2 months . If a flora is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee worm when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring forth a sweet subject matter bid honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth scream jet mold .
potential ascendance : keep weeds down ; use test in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with yellow viscous cards , lend oneself labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be wolfish feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may deplete holes in leave , strip full base , or completely devour seedling and bid organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , rid of concealment places such as leaf debris , over - twist heap , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding berth . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . sic out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where Night are cool and solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn icteric or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often overlook early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant properly so they have passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is preponderating for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertiliser . put on fungicide concord to label centering before job becomes life-threatening and survey directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leave of absence , blossom , or dust in the drop and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - border coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil stratum . For fungous leaf spots , utilize a advocate fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy microbe , that can be a problem on a wide variety show of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawling until they find out a good feeding land site . The grownup females then lose their leg and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have pierce mouthpiece component that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . graduated table can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and foliage drop . They also give rise a honeyed substance foretell honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to hold . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . promote natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It eat on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to command sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish fabric or rinse away with a hose - end nebulizer .
