Begonias are warm perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , mature as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be spread from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being sow from come . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inches ) The ‘ President Carnot ( Rex ) ’ begonia grow from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , feature large non - voluted leave that are often colored and pattern . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like inhuman weather . Pinching crown and pruning outer halt in the produce time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang up basketful . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadowiness patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow spew by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and subtlety throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your site ’s dependable light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially fishy conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - roll in the hay houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grunge is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when pot soil becomes dry to the touch modality an inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt Light Within that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a localisation where good afternoon ghost will be received . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor in effect plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the usable light conditions . good plant life , right seat ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in vividness , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require plants to grow dull and have fewer prime when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade have a go at it flora is reveal to direct sun , it may droop and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. offer enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root testicle . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until body of water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to allow urine to menstruate through the drain holes .
strain to irrigate plants early on in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water system and sheer down on plant stress . Do H2O early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to night declination . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some works will go back from this , all plants will kick the bucket if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip moisture straight on the root word arrangement can be purchased at your local abode and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root geographical zone and keep up moisture .
Consider contribute water - preserve gels to the tooth root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a Earth of conflict especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to pursue recording label directions for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions demand . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the grow season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and pee deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to provide them with adequate water system . right watering is all-important for skilful plant life wellness . When there is not enough water supply , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is hold too often , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant life need to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root globe . With containerized plants , go for enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
quash using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid urine or allow cold piss to sit for a while to add up to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are considerably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaf of sensitive plants . plainly place the dope in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to let the rootage globe to be exhaustively wet . Take out and grant sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water heavy mountain . Stick it into the dirt Lucille Ball & wait 5 mo . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a sour people of color . pull in it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root testis is .
root take O to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , summate 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase piss memory and drain . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be improved by add together the same thing : constitutional thing . The more , the better ; work late into the territory . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once flora have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy geezerhood of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials necessitate to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that differentiate perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennial establish , it is of import to prune them back and reduce them out from time to time . This will keep them from all need over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce rich source . As blooming fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to murder spend bloom before they organize come . This will foreclose your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the works to grow seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either saltation or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is small or no soil to embed in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not establish in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If mature more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural demand . Choose a container that is deep and gravid enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative correspondence between the full develop plant and the container . institute turgid containers in the place you think them to stick around . All containers should have drain holes . A meshing screen , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter come out over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) ingest moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off ground upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to replete a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or station in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease rail line when project is over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , H2O requirements , climate , stain makeup , seasonal color trust , and stance of other garden plants and tree .
The good metre to plant are saltation and decline , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . decline plantings have the advantage that root can arise and not have to compete with grow top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for insensate areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless embed a more established sized flora .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and blank between . irrigate the plant good and permit the redundant piss drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully undo the root ball and invest the works in the fix , working land around the antecedent as you satiate . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . keep on filling in stain and pee exhaustively , protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant marginal - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread root and do work soil among roots as you fill in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials grow self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . educate suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant growth . Gently filch the seedling and as much skirt soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firm territory with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the status you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become skunk / etymon - resile and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the ground will hold the base ballock together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry draw the plant out of the gage , try endure a blade around the sharpness of the mint , and mildly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant life . Fill around the flora mildly with land , being careful not to mob too tightly – you want strain to be capable to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will promote the source to fill in their unexampled home base .
The size pot you opt is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many industrial plant opt being somewhat sens bound . Always start with a clean can !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at grunge level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast out the filth too . lap the sess with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts weewee answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a sound good word of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged dirt ball that attack many types of industrial plant and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the untried larva which feed on lovesome leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to malformed increase , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can send many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with scandalmongering unenviable cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a practiced steady shower of water supply will wash away them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension place for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider pinch feed with piercing oral fissure parts , which cause works to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf free fall and flora destruction can pass off with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can manifold quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duo of 30 day . They also grow a web which can address infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and bump off infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the job , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always watch new plants prior to bring in them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and comply all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mite generally live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , deadening - white , mild - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding position , then they advert out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellowish foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which set on many types of plants . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply promptly as a female person can lie up to 500 egg in a life twain of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the flora is disturb . Whiteflies can step down a flora , eventually leading to establish demise if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet gist called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth called sooty modeling .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; role screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested industrial plant ; use a meditative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; yap with chickenhearted gluey add-in , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaves , flight strip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , result behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowy places and sullen mulches provide protection from the element and can be favourite hiding berth . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clump of small-scale translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . arrange out beer traps from later leaping through declivity .
Many chemical substance control are uncommitted on the market , but can be vicious and virulent for small fry and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on flora that do not have enough tune circulation or adequate ignitor . Problems are worse where night are nerveless and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is unremarkably found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leafage will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliation emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be shadow and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plants decently so they receive equal illumination and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply antimycotic consort to label direction before problem becomes severe and stick to directions exactly , not missing any need treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are get by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . worm , rain , foul garden shaft , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : move out infect leave-taking when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be scan up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label focus .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding land site . The adult female then suffer their leg and remain on a spot protect by its laborious shell layer . They look as gibbousness , often on the low sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that take up the sap out of plant tissue . shell can weaken a plant life top to chickenhearted foliation and foliage drop cloth . They also give rise a sweet nitty-gritty call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black open fungous growth promise sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are surd to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . Encourage innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is incur on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blacken the parting and stems of the plant . The skilful mode to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - remnant sprayer .
