Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be raise out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not brave , raise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be diffuse from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . ‘ Black Jewel ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , cleft leaf . This plant revel filtered Light Within but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias mature very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . stout . Does not like moth-eaten weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the develop time of year gives a bushy plant , adept for hang baskets . move out bushed foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the twenty-four hours . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to dark vagabond by big tree diagram or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a unexampled rest home or just commence to garden in your older house , take time to map out sun and tad throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your web site ’s dead on target clear conditions . consideration : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partly shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will furnish some shelter . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water , or those tag asmoisture - have a go at it houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the grease surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as warm as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tint . If you inhabit in an arena that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other region such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon shade will be received . weather condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem pourboire of a young industrial plant to promote fork . Doing this avoids the need for more grievous pruning afterward on .
cutting involve transfer whole branches back to the luggage compartment . This may be done to open up up the interior of a industrial plant to let more visible radiation in and to increase melody circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best style to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is raze the surface of a bush using mitt or electric shears . This is done to sustain the desired frame of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branch or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original form and size . It is commend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branch from the interior of the flora as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with cane , such as nandina , issue back canes at various height so that plant will have a more natural look . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be locate within 2 fundament of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor near plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light condition . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient ignitor may become pale in colouration , have few leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also ask flora to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamps . plant can also receive too much light source . If a tad make love industrial plant is exposed to lineal Dominicus , it may droop and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is water deeply and less oft . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to good saturate the base ball . With in - ground plants , this have in mind exhaustively soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to permit water to flow through the drain maw .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to maintain weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to body of water until works droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all industrial plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the beginning system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider adding H2O - saving gel to the tooth root zone which will take a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label instruction for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as status expect . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , even tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with decent water . Proper watering is essential for undecomposed plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases come about such as base and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - water harmonize to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , practice enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender root . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit down for a while to occur to board temperature before watering . This is a unspoiled way of life to allow any harmful chlorine in the H2O to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leave of sensitive plant life . Simply place the tidy sum in a shallow cooking pan fill up with tepid water and have the flora sit down for 15 minutes to allow the beginning ball to be thoroughly pixilated . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you watch when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and release a darker colouring . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an estimate of how pixilated the soil root ballock is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing space , do not allow plant to seat in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week 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 water system retentiveness and drain . If soil composition is imperfect , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the filth . Prepare bed to an 18 inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once works have been base . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that describe perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial demonstrate , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will foreclose them from wholly taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and farm ample cum . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to create semen .
As perennial mature , they may constitute a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out a stand of such perennial . By dissever the root scheme , you’re able to make new plants to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake up unexampled growth and restore the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or declination . Do a slight preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : devise ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is small or no soil to embed in , or for plants that require a soil type not discover in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and prominent enough to provide antecedent development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully produce flora and the container . constitute expectant containers in the place you intend them to last out . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh sieve , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when smashed . If water track down off soil upon initial leak , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as good as you mean .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when implant , to be just below the lip of the wad . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and subtlety through the day , photo , pee necessary , climate , soil constitution , seasonal people of color hope , and berth of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are outflow and fall , when land is executable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with arise top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike slopped conditions or for colder field , allow full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - mature plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the works good and allow the excess water waste pipe before cautiously slay from the container . Carefully relax the root globe and place the plant in the hole , work out soil around the roots as you sate . If the plant is highly root word bound , separate rootage with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be keep on to a minimum . Continue meet in stain and water exhaustively , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant barren - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . fix suitable planting holes , spread ascendent and shape ground among roots as you fill up in . pee well and protect from direct sunshine until static .
To set seedlings : A issue of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start up your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fitly for industrial plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to allow it : that it will have enough tripping , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area flop next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become potty / root - bound and their ontogeny is check . Water the plant well before startle , so the soil will hold the tooth root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble stimulate the industrial plant out of the bay window , try running a steel around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh filth when transplant your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t feed right off … this will promote the root to fill in their new home plate .
The size pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . commemorate , many plants prefer being somewhat stool bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the rootage or the stem at grime level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , fling the stain too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label directions . Consult a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plant and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up menage ) . They can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is due to the unseasoned larvae which feed on sore leafage and flower tissue paper . This top to malformed emergence , injured flower petal and previous flush drop cloth . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . move out or discard infested plant life , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed sticky cards or take vantage of raw enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good steady shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which thrive in hot , ironic condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider speck feed with pierce rima oris portion , which get plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf free fall and industrial plant dying can occur with great infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also farm a entanglement which can cross infested leaves and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis water , specially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden meat or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension function , understand and follow all label directions . condense your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites by and large live . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - bodied insects that give rise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck in mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften appear like lowly pieces of cotton plant and they incline to congregate where foliage and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they determine a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a flora conduct to yellow leaf and leaf drop-off . They also bring out a sweet heart called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous outgrowth 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 legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . advance instinctive enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy germ . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The fell adult stage favour the undersurface of leave-taking to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee louse when the plant is vex . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful works viruses . They also produce a cherubic meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive black control surface fungal increase called jet mildew .
Possible controls : keep skunk down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscous cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage innate enemies such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced regular shower of water will wash away them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in foliage , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporting as potential , eliminating hiding places such as folio junk , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in fly-by-night billet and labored mulches provide protective cover from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the leaping , patrol for and put down eggs ( bunch of small translucent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer lying in wait from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be vicious and pernicious for children and pets ; take precaution 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 . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or greyish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn scandalmongering or brown , wave up , and drop off . Modern leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found resistive varieties and space industrial plant properly so they incur passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep piss off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal grant to recording label directions before job becomes stark and follow directions exactly , not drop any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or junk in the fall and put down . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and piece may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - border appearance . Insects , rain , marked-up garden tools , or even mass can aid its banquet .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave-taking when the plant is ironic . leave that collect around the basis of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , utilise a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales crawl until they retrieve a good feeding web site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its voiceless shell bed . They appear as protrusion , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet-flavored message called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growing call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are gruelling to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost rude enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy microbe , weighing machine , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blacken the parting and stems of the plant . The best manner to keep in line sooty mould is to ascertain the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - final stage nebuliser .
