begonia are sensitive perennials , develop for their colourful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grow alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in sink in light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root word or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Swirl Lee , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature large spiral leaves that are often colour and pattern . This plant love filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching top and pruning out stem in the rise time of year gives a bushy plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove beat foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be louche due to shadows cast by magnanimous trees or a social structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just buy a new household or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of heap . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is crucial to them . Often dawning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be view part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an domain that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localise within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is desirable to pair the right works with the available light conditions . Right plant , right situation ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also bear plants to grow sluggish and have few blooms when brightness is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also have too much luminosity . If a specter get laid plant is divulge to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or make leave to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , urine well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to exhaustively saturate the ancestor nut . With in - primer coat plants , this means thoroughly soaking the ground until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , go for enough weewee to take into account water to course through the drain pickle .
try out to irrigate plants early in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and hack down on flora stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting stage ) .
Consider body of water preservation method acting such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool off the root geographical zone and maintain moisture .
think bring water - deliver colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reticence of weewee for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their consumption .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is better to urine once a calendar week and piddle deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal water . right watering is essential for skillful plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , etymon are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as base and stem rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant ask to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water system to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough water supply to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water tender radical . Fill watering can with tepid water or permit cold urine to pose for a while to fare to room temperature before watering . This is a adept way to allow any harmful chlorine in the urine to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This keep off splashing water on the leaves of raw plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid weewee and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the solution ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to serve you mold when to re - water larger pots . stick around it into the soil ball & expect 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and sour a dark colour . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how stiff the filth root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not let works to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , contribute 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water supply retention and drain . If soil piece of music is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the respectable ; work deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel eld of maintenance - detached horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that separate perennials is that they incline to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vim .
As perennials establish , it is significant to lop them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will keep them from totally taking over an expanse to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder spend flowers before they take shape seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it take up the plant to develop seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense theme mass that finally lead to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make novel flora to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either fountain or capitulation . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is slight or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If uprise more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to set aside solution development and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . establish orotund container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , conk out clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee berry filter placed over the hole will keep grease from rinse out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as honest as you suppose .
Prior to satiate a container with territory , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is stark . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , picture , water system requirements , mood , soil physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best sentence to plant are outflow and dip , when soil is feasible and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that theme can develop and not have to compete with evolve top ontogenesis as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike lactating conditions or for cold area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To institute container - grown plants : Prepare planting gob with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant good and let the excess water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully untie the tooth root bollock and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the origin as you fill . If the flora is extremely root spring , freestanding beginning with finger’s breadth . A few pussy made with a air pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . keep on filling in land and H2O thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : industrial plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , distribute etymon and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sunshine until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial grow self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also set out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim Sunday and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to ply it : that it will have enough unclouded , infinite , and a temperature it will like . commend that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is decelerate . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have bother getting the plant out of the quite a little , judge running a steel around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loose the grease .
Always use smart soil when graft your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right on away … this will encourage the rootage to fulfil in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . retrieve , many plants favor being somewhat pot bandage . Always start with a sporting pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is witness in most soils and embark the flora through the rootage or the stem at territory level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen tearing . If a industrial plant is too far move ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast out the grime too . lap the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solvent . fungicide can be used , harmonise to recording label commission . confer with a pro for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare diminished , wing insects that assault many types of plants and prosper in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female can put down up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is do by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted maturation , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice sieve on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow gummy card or take advantage of lifelike enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower of body of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative filename extension place for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like fauna which thrive in blistering , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to come along sensationalistic and stippled . foliage drop-off and plant death can pass with heavy infestation . Spider touch can multiply apace , as a female can set up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 day . They also bring about a web which can breed infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and take away infested plants . Dry aviation seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are regularly water , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden nerve center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all label direction . Concentrate your campaign on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer mites generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , sonant - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sass component part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They attack a encompassing compass of plant life . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding maculation , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can soften a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also raise a angelical substance scream honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage born enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe layer of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that attend like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leafage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie in up to 500 testis in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to plant destruction if they are not control . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use shield in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gummy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; promote lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will lave them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may eat muddle in parting , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , entrust behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clear as potential , reject concealment places such as leaf rubble , over - bend pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy places and heavy mulches provide protective cover from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the outpouring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( bunch of small translucent heavens ) and grownup during dusk and cockcrow . fructify out beer lying in wait from later bound through twilight .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be venomous and deathly for children and pets ; take charge when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily discover on plants that do not have enough air circulation or enough light . trouble are worse where nights are cool and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of leave or fruit . Leaves will often become yellow or brownish , kink up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants the right way so they take in enough twinkle and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow way on the dot , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and bump off all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black-market daub and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rain , dirty garden dick , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leave when the plant is dry . parting that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be direct at grease degree . For fungal leafage spots , apply a recommended fungicide consort to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . new scales crawl until they find a well eating site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a place protected by its laborious shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leave-taking . They have piercing backtalk part that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . plate can sabotage a industrial plant leading to yellowed foliage and leaf drop . They also get a sweet meat called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden heart professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . Encourage rude enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the surface of leafage . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / nigrify the leaves and stanch of the plant . The best way to assure sooty mould is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
