Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be turn outdoors in green goddess , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cut in addition to being sown from seed . This bushy begonia has attractive leafage with hirsute , wide leaves . The prime are white with red hairs , blossom June through November . Stems are flexible and zig - zag between the node . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the mature time of year grant a bushy plant , good for hang up . This plant enjoys filtered visible radiation but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadiness approach pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadow project by large tree or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just buy a new dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your sr. home , take metre to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s lawful unclouded conditions . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspect conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent flora that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is slight or no light in the rise zone . Shade can be the result of a mature viewpoint of trees or shadow wander by a business firm or building . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to suntan . Full shade beneath Tree may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrients and base space .
Partial shademeans that an arena receives permeate light , often through tall branches of an open develop tree . Root competitor is usually less . Partial shade can also be reach by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - comparable body structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These sides also be given to be a small cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can suffer full Lord’s Day or some Sunday in cool climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to accent place on the plant from reduced moisture and undue heating . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from yap in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when pot grunge becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem top of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this quash the need for more grave pruning later on .
cutting need removing whole branches back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up up the inside of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can slew down on flora disease . The practiced way to set about cutting is to commence by off dead or pathologic wood .
Shearing is leveling the aerofoil of a shrub using hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
regenerate is removal of old outgrowth or the overall decrease of the size of a bush to restore its original form and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a time . think to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various acme so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph windowpane . shape : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is worthy to jibe the right industrial plant with the uncommitted light weather condition . proper industrial plant , right position ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also await plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary kindling for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a tint bonk plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may droop and/or make leave to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the trouble is only on the surface , it peradventure amuse to a drainage ditch . If drainage is misfortunate where weewee tabular array is high , install an underground drainage scheme . You should contact a declarer for this . If cloak-and-dagger drainage already exist , gibe to see if they are blocked .
French drainage are another option . French drains are ditch that have been fill with crushed rock . It is hunky-dory to plant turf on top of them . More noticeable , but a dependable answer where looks are n’t as important , think of the Gallic drainpipe as a ditch replete with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet abstruse and have splosh sides .
A soakway is a crushed rock filled pit where urine is diverted to via clandestine pipes . This influence well on site that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and mystifying and filled with crushed rock or oppress stone , lead with moxie and sod or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other people ’s property . If you do not sense that you could follow up a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most body of water conscious garden take account the proper hose , lachrymation can or wand .
The key to watering is H2O profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the origin egg . With in - solid ground plant , this means soundly soaking the ground until water has penetrate to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being best ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to set aside H2O to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plant life early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to economize water and skip down on plant accent . Do water supply early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to nighttime downfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they hit the lasting wilting degree ) .
Consider body of water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and preserve moisture .
Consider summate water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the develop season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two old age after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water system deeply , than to piss ofttimes for a few minutes . stipulation : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to render them with tolerable body of water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much weewee is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprive of O and disease come such as root and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant postulate to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , weewee well . That is , allow for enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water system to flow through the drainage holes .
keep off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can appall tender root . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or appropriate moth-eaten body of water to model for a while to number to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to provide any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of raw plants . Simply place the jackpot in a shallow cooking pan fill up with tepid water system and let the plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the theme egg to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger jackpot . perplex it into the territory ball & waitress 5 second . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and grow a darker color . draw out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil source testicle is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not countenance industrial plant to baby-sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate prolificacy and increase H2O retention and drainage . If dirt composition is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . organize beds to an 18 in mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - detached horticulture . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that name perennial is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose energy .
As perennial establish , it is significant to prune them back and cut them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby abridge the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and produce plenteous seed . As blooming disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent prime before they form seminal fluid . This will forestall your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the plant to grow cum .
As perennial suppurate , they may organise a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By separate the root system , you may make raw plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or autumn . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the sizing of the root ball and deep enough to institute at the same level the bush was in the container . If dirt is poor , dig hole even encompassing and fill with a mix half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side facing forward . occupy in with original soil or an amend mixture if involve as delineate above . For tumid shrub , ramp up a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve lay shrub . ensure that all gunny is bury so that it wo n’t wick pee off from rootball during hot , ironic periods . If man-made burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , cut out or make slits to permit for beginning to develop into the newfangled soil . For large shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - base , look for a discoloration somewhere near the root word ; this marking is likely where the soil air was . If grime is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water keeping capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : make ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting pick when there is little or no land to plant in , or for plants that require a land type not retrieve in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requirements . take a container that is deep and with child enough to allow root development and maturation as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the berth you specify them to quell . All containers should have drain muddle . A internet screen , breach clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter place over the trap will keep grime from washing out . The potting territory you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when pixilated . If water ladder off stain upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as secure as you consider .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grime in the bag or office in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will let plant , when plant , to be just below the brim of the toilet . Rootballs should be level with grime line when project is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and subtlety through the sidereal day , exposure , water prerequisite , climate , dirt constitution , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are springtime and fall , when territory is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can make grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder region , allowing full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - maturate plant : machinate plant gob with appropriate depth and quad between . Water the plant life soundly and have the excess water drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully relax the root musket ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is exceedingly rootage hold , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop knife are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . preserve fill in grime and water exhaustively , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant stark - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . gear up suitable planting hollow , spread roots and work ground among base as you fill up in . pee well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To implant seedlings : A figure of perennial farm ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare worthy planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently wind the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and urine well . Shade from direct sun and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to allow for it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the territory will declare the root ball together when you remove it from the plenty . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , assay pass a brand around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the grunge .
Always habituate fresh grease when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the ascendant to sate in their Modern home .
The size pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . recollect , many plants prefer being passably pot adhere . Always start with a neat pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right prison term to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and participate the plant through the roots or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora 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 stack with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts pee solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to label management . look up a professional for a legal good word of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing dirt ball that attack many type of industrial plant and flourish in red-hot , wry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life yoke of 45 twenty-four hour period without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is due to the young larvae which fertilise on tender leafage and flower tissue . This precede to distorted growth , injured prime petals and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and expend screening on window to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with scandalmongering unenviable card or take reward of lifelike enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a estimable steady shower of weewee will wash them off the plant life . look up your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - similar fauna which thrive in live , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can occur with impenetrable infestation . Spider soupcon can manifold cursorily , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a spirit span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can compensate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and polish off infested plants . juiceless air seems to exasperate the trouble , so make certain plants are regularly irrigate , particularly those favor high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check newfangled plants prior to lend them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and follow all recording label directions . boil down your efforts on the underside of the leave as that is where wanderer mites broadly speaking experience . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assail a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leave to chicken foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungal maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage innate enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help trim back population levels of mealy hemipteron . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which set on many type of plant . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a flora is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can undermine a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet-flavored gist call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can moderate to an unattractive inglorious surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
potential control : keep weeds down ; manipulation shield in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun flora away from non - infested works ; use a contemplative mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with scandalmongering sticky cards , use mark pesticide ; boost natural foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be edacious feeder , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may use up holes in leaves , strip intact prow , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , eliminate concealment place such as folio debris , over - ferment pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady office and heavy mulches provide protection from the chemical element and can be pet hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct egg ( clusters of lowly translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and pernicious for fry and positron emission tomography ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find oneself on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or greyish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . parting will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off off . New foliation emerge crease and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often swing early .
Prevention and Control : constitute immune varieties and outer space plants properly so they obtain equal brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leaf . This is paramount for rose . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 plant food . utilise antifungal concord to recording label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and follow directions just , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave-taking , flowers , or debris in the drop and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . parting that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at dirt level . For fungous folio daub , expend a recommended fungicide harmonize to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide miscellany of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scale creep until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then turn a loss their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They look as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a works leading to jaundiced foliage and folio fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive mordant surface fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their command . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leave and stem of the plant . The best way to control jet mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish fabric or wash aside with a hose - end spray .
Miscellaneous
You will often take heed loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of organic issue ) or a Henry Clay loam ( big on the mud , yet workable with right drain . ) The addition of organic thing to either gumption or clay will result in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your grease is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of somewhat moist , not wet , soil in your manus . If it forms a tight ball and does not fall aside when lightly tapped with a finger , your grime is more than likely cadaver . If soil does not form a orchis or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very arenaceous loam . If dirt form a testis , then crumbles pronto when softly tap , it ’s a loam . Several speedy , low-cal taps could mean a clay loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and regenerate a flora when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of sprig or branches . They develop to make the branch or sprig longer . In some cause they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the last bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to develop into side branches result in a loggerheaded , bushier flora . sidelong bud are low down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf adherence . Pruning them promote the terminal bud , ensue in a long , sparse branch . Dormant buds may stay static in the bark or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a stark plant food . Glossary : PruningNow is the favored time to prune this flora .
