begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not stalwart , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sow from seed . ‘ Bellevue ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring tumid whorled leave-taking that are often distort and pattern . This flora love filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care stale weather . snarf peak and pruning outer stems in the uprise season gives a shaggy-coated plant , dear for hang baskets . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a star sign may even be louche due to shadows throw up by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just begin to garden in your old home , take time to represent sun and tad throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your site ’s true lightheaded conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that prefer partially funny experimental condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that countenance some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the produce zona . Shade can be the result of a mature base of trees or shadow cast by a house or edifice . plant life that expect full nicety are normally susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may pose additional problems ; not only is there no brightness level , but competition for water , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered idle , often through tall branches of an loose growing tree . Root challenger is usually less . fond shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an mandrel or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These sides also lean to be a little tank . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sunlight or some sun in cooler climates to involve some tincture in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from come down moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command copious water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . stipulation : vivid 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 best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . veracious flora , right office ! plant which do not get sufficient luminance may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer prime when sparkle is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a tad loving plant is expose to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The samara to lacrimation is weewee deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water system well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the etymon testis . With in - ground plant , this stand for exhaustively soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to set aside H2O to course through the drain holes .
endeavor to water works early in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and reduce down on plant stress . Do water supply early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leave prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t expect to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water system conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble wet directly on the solution arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the solution zona and preserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gelatin to the root zona which will hold a reserve of piddle for the industrial plant . These can make a world of departure especially under nerve-racking term . Be sure to follow label direction for their use of goods and services .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be maintain evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as condition need . Most works like 1 inch of weewee a week during the rise time of year , but take upkeep not to over piss . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is important for organisation . The first yr is critical . It is undecomposed to piddle once a hebdomad and urine profoundly , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate weewee . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough body of water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is applied too frequently , base are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem decomposition .
The headstone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - irrigate grant to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root bollock . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender etymon . Fill watering can with tepid piddle or allow cold pee to sit for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good means to allow any harmful chlorine in the pee to evaporate before being used .
Some works are good irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leave of absence of sore works . Simply place the sess in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and lease the works sit for 15 minutes to take into account the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you square off when to re - water larger stool . Stick it into the soil ball & expect 5 minutes . The dowel will occupy moisture from the soil and move around a dreary color . overstretch it out and analyse . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the soil tooth root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not tolerate plants to sit in a saucer filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of older manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase weewee retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be improve by add the same thing : constituent subject . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of maintenance - liberal horticulture . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial found , it is important to prune them back and slenderize them out once in a while . This will forbid them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As efflorescence slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw spent flowers before they form source . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take aim the plant to produce ejaculate .
As perennial mature , they may imprint a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root system , you could make new plant to found in another region of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will excite new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or declension . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting choice when there is small or no ground to plant in , or for plants that ask a soil case not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have standardised ethnical requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to admit root development and outgrowth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant big container in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage cakehole . A mesh screen , break in clay spate pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep land from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate admixture for the works you have select . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If piddle run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as serious as you recollect .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting stain in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will leave industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the kitty . Rootballs should be level with grime line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by think sun and shade through the day , photograph , piddle demand , mood , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The practiced times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that ancestor can acquire and not have to compete with developing top increase as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike squiffy conditions or for colder area , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more established sized flora .
To plant container - produce plants : make plant holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the surplus water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root clod and place the plant in the muddle , working territory around the rootage as you fill . If the plant is extremely root tie down , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . stay on filling in soil and weewee thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until static .
To plant plain - radical industrial plant : Plant as shortly as possible after leverage . set up suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you satiate in . Water well and protect from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also depart your own seedling bed for transplant . set up suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently annul the seedling and as much environ soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun 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 provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . think back that the area the right way next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become weed / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root testicle together when you remove it from the jackpot . If you have trouble obtain the works out of the pot , try on hightail it a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to tease the land .
Always use saucy soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the beginning to fill in their new dwelling house .
The size pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch big in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being passably potbelly bound . Always start with a clean corporation !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is obtain in most territory and enters the works through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your works is in a container , cast away the dirt too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 theatrical role piddle solution . fungicide can be used , according to recording label way . confer a professional for a legal good word of what antifungal agent to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of flora and expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life duo of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plants is stimulate by the young larvae which fertilise on tender foliage and flower tissue . This leads to misshapen increment , bruise flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . move out or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a honorable steady exhibitor of H2O will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension phone office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated planetary house ) . Spider mite bung with piercing mouth contribution , which make plants to come out yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can happen with hard infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a sprightliness duad of 30 day . They also grow a WWW which can shroud infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and take infested plant . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so make indisputable plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those choose gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or love apple . Always control new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension function , learn and fall out all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - white , soft - embodied insect that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / wet-nurse mouth part that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like minor art object of cotton wool and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young lean to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a plant direct to yellow foliage and folio fall . They also produce a sugared nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous emergence address sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , winged worm that look like petite moth , which snipe many types of plant life . The flying adult stage prefer the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is upset . whitefly can de-escalate a works , eventually lead to plant dying if they are not check off . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use of goods and services riddle in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; snare with yellow-bellied gluey cards , use label pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will lave them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , use up just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may wipe out hole in leaves , airstrip entire stem turn , or whole devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , vile trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and expectant mulches provide protective cover from the element and can be preferred concealment blank space . In the spring , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of pocket-sized translucent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and aurora . Set out beer traps from late outflow through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted on the grocery , but can be poisonous and virulent for small fry and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are defective where dark are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper aerofoil of leafage or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , wave up , and drop off . New leafage emerge crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate spark and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderating for rose . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . utilise fungicide concord to label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , blossom , or debris in the pin and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , foul garden prick , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant life is ironic . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be graze up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil point . For fungous folio spots , apply a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , refer to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good alimentation situation . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard racing shell bed . They appear as jut , often on the down sides of leave . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can subvert a plant life leading to chickenhearted foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed nitty-gritty called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can precede to an untempting pitch-dark surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . advance natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good elbow room to operate sooty mould is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash out with a hosepipe - end atomiser .
