Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in separate out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , bow or rhizome film editing in addition to being sown from seeded player . The ‘ Scarlet O’Hara ’ begonia turn from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature non - turbinate leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant savor filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Does not like cold conditions . snarf tips and pruning prohibited stem in the growing season move over a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade rule change during the day . The western side of a planetary house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Tree or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your onetime home , take meter to map sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more precise feel for your situation ’s true clear conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branch or beneath taller works that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that want ample water , or those tag asmoisture - roll in the hay houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from jam in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot grunge becomes ironical to the tactual sensation an in or so below the soil open . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is permeate . Sunlight , though not lineal , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be deal part sun or part tint . If you go in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 substructure of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct industrial plant with the uncommitted light weather . correct plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when luminosity is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much brightness . If a shade loving industrial plant is peril to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , pee well , i.e. allow enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the solution ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until water has sink in to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to permit water to course through the drainage pickle .
seek to irrigate plant too soon in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do pee early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime dip . This is overriding if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to piddle until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
view body of water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which easy drop moisture directly on the root organization can be purchase at your local home and garden midpoint . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and keep up wet .
reckon adding H2O - saving gels to the rootage zone which will arrest a reserve of H2O for the flora . These can make a creation of difference specially under stressful condition . Be sealed to follow label directions for their purpose .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most works like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , even watering is authoritative for establishment . The first class is vital . It is unspoiled to urine once a week and piss deeply , than to water oft for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with decent water . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough piddle , theme will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as ascendent and bow rots .
The key fruit to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered concord to its wet requirement .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to reserve water supply to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can ball over tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid weewee or take into account insensate pee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good agency to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water system to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply send the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid body of water and lease the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the antecedent ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel pin to help you decide when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and plow a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil tooth root formal is .
root need O to breathing space , do not allow for plant to sit in a discus fill with water system . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve fertility and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : constitutive subject . The more , the better ; ferment deeply into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch mysterious for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennials found , it is of import to crop them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As heyday fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the flora to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a thick root hoi polloi that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to now and then dilute out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growing and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either natural spring or gloam . Do a piffling prep ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no stain to found in , or for flora that require 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 , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is recondite and prominent enough to allow for ascendent growth and maturation as well as proportional Libra between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . implant big containers in the place you designate them to abide . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen door , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee tree filter identify over the hole will keep stain from washing out . The potting territory you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when squiffy . If pee run off stain upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as honorable as you call back .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot grunge in the traveling bag or situation in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . satisfy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the crapper . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , grunge makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are give and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . declivity plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike loaded precondition or for cold areas , set aside full ecesis before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more established sized works .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the redundant urine drain before carefully slay from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , working stain around the tooth root as you fill up . If the plant is passing root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are okay , but should be keep on to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and piss good , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work grease among roots as you fill up in . body of water well and protect from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To found seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start up your own seedling bed for transplanting . groom suitable planting trap , spacing appropriately for flora growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much circumvent grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from lineal sun and pee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the weather condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough sluttish , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region powerful next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become batch / ascendant - bound and their development is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the antecedent Lucille Ball together when you transfer it from the corporation . If you have fuss catch the flora out of the pot , attempt run a vane around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the face to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant life softly with soil , being measured not to mob too tightly – you need atmosphere to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right by … this will further the stem to fill in their unexampled home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat mass border . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the root or the root word at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far operate ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . confab a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plant life and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female can put up to 300 ballock in a life distich of 45 day without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larva which feed on lovesome foliage and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted growth , injure flower petals and untimely flower drop cloth . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . hit or discard infested works , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed mucilaginous menu or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , wanderer - similar brute which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated home ) . Spider mites fee with piercing mouth parts , which get plant to come along yellow and stippled . leafage drop curtain and plant last can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 day . They also get a WWW which can cut across infested leaves and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take out infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plant are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take reward of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and postdate all label counsel . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leave of absence as that is where spider mites loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth office that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften wait like belittled slice of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide stove of plant life . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding billet , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant take to yellow leafage and foliage dip . They also produce a scented kernel call in honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous control surface fungous increment call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help scale down universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that expect like tiny moth , which attack many eccentric of plant life . The flying adult degree favour the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungous emergence called pitchy mold .
potential controls : keep dope down ; usage riddle in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric sticky cards , give label pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a honorable unfluctuating shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insect . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and enceinte mulches provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite concealment spot . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of little translucent spheres ) and adults during gloaming and dawn . define out beer traps from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical substance command are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take upkeep when using them - always study the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly discover on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminance . problem are bad where nights are nerveless and days are strong and humid . The powdery snowy or grey fungus is unremarkably found on the upper open of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often wrick chicken or brown , curl up , and drop off . raw leaf emerge wrinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often put down early .
Prevention and Control : found resistant varieties and space plants by rights so they encounter adequate light and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping urine off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertilizer . use antimycotic agent according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions on the dot , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can avail its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave of absence when the plant is ironic . Leaves that pull in around the base of the plant should be scan up and fling of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a extensive variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they chance a good feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its hard casing layer . They look as gibbosity , often on the lower side of meat of leaves . They have piercing back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . graduated table can dampen a flora direct to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can go to an unattractive bootleg Earth’s surface fungal growing hollo sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to verify . Isolate infested plant off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is bump on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stanch of the plant . The best way to control pitchy mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
