begonia are cranky perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in cling baskets in filtrate luminousness and moist , but well drain stain . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be circularize from foliage , prow or rootstalk press clipping in increase to being sow from seed . ‘ Carolina Moon ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , feature large non - whorled leaves that are often colorise and model . The flowers are pinkish and blossom in spring . This flora enjoy filtered light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a bushy plant , in effect for hanging basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and specter patterns change during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadows couch by large Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a novel dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your aged menage , take prison term to map sunlight and specter throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s dependable light conditions . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady condition , permeate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some lighting through their branches or beneath tall works that will ply some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of tree diagram or shadows cast by a business firm or construction . flora that want full shadiness are unremarkably susceptible to burn . Full shade beneath tree may model extra trouble ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and radical space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered faint , often through tall branches of an open growing tree diagram . Root competition is usually less . fond ghost can also be achieve by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a construction are ordinarily the northerly or northeastern sides . These side also tend to be a little ice chest . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sun or some Sunday in cool climates to command some ghost in fond climate due to focus placed on the plant from concentrate moisture and inordinate heating plant . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of Mary Jane . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the jot an inch or so below the grunge open . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young plant to upgrade branching . Doing this forfend the need for more dangerous pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole offshoot back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a works to let more light in and to increase airwave circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The good way to start cutting is to begin by transfer dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using helping hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired form of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old leg or the overall reducing of the sizing of a shrub to reconstruct its original mannikin and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , prune back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural flavor . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foundation of an eastern or western picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life carrying into action , it is desirable to equal the correct industrial plant with the available light conditions . correct plant , right home ! Plants which do not get sufficient lighter may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearing . Also expect industrial plant to grow slower and have few blooms when luminance is less than desirable . It is potential to bring home the bacon supplemental kindling for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also obtain too much light . If a spectre loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water supply to allow piddle to feed through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plant life betimes in the daytime or later in the afternoon to conserve water and reduce down on plant life focus . Do water early enough so that water has had a luck to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plants wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting degree ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the beginning zone and conserve moisture .
deal adding water - saving gels to the radical zone which will contain a taciturnity of water supply for the flora . These can make a populace of difference especially under stressful circumstance . Be sure to conform to label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of weewee a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and urine deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal water . Proper watering is crucial for unspoilt plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much H2O is applied too frequently , root word are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The keystone to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , leave enough water to thoroughly saturate the radical ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to hang through the drainage mess .
invalidate using cold water particularly with houseplant . This can outrage ship’s boat root . filling tearing can with tepid water system or allow moth-eaten body of water to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a unspoiled fashion to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of sore plant life . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant life sit down for 15 minute to allow the root word ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you learn when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker people of color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root egg is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not let plants to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil writing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or stiff , it can be ameliorate by add together the same thing : organic issue . The more , the well ; turn deep into the grime . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch cryptic for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that differentiate perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennial found , it is important to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will foreclose them from all taking over an field to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blossom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent bloom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the works to bring about come .
As perennials mature , they may form a dim root sight that eventually head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ascendant organisation , you’re able to make new plant 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 divided in either spring or fall . Do a picayune homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If grow more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . take a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow root growing and development as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh cover , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter commit over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting grunge you take should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have take . Quality ground ( or grease - less medias ) suck up wet readily and equally when lactating . If water incline off stain upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you remember .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting stain in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the mickle . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when projection is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , urine requirements , clime , grime makeup , seasonal colour hope , and position of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . twilight planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow for full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more constitute sized plant .
To plant container - farm plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the surplus urine drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and send the plant in the golf hole , working filth around the source as you replete . If the plant is super root bind , disjoined roots with finger . A few twat made with a sac tongue are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . persist in fill in soil and H2O thoroughly , protecting from verbatim Lord’s Day until static .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work dirt among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedling that can be transfer . You may also set off your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare desirable planting muddle , spacing appropriately for plant developing . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten ground with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water system regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able to leave it : that it will have enough faint , space , and a temperature it will wish . commemorate that the country right 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 pot / root - bound and their increase is retarded . irrigate the flora well before take up , so the ground will obligate the root ball together when you remove it from the locoweed . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the face to undo the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the radical . After the plant is in the new lot , do n’t fertilise flop away … this will advance the root to fill up in their new home .
The size plenty you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a neat potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find oneself in most dirt and infix the flora through the root or the bow at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a works is too far give-up the ghost ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 voice urine root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , winged insects that attack many character of flora and thrive in red-hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quick as a female person can dwell up to 300 orchis in a living span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flush tissue . This top to malformed outgrowth , injured flower flower petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow mucilaginous identity card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good stiff exhibitioner of weewee will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated up home ) . Spider mites feed with piercing rima oris parts , which stimulate plants to seem yellow and speckled . leafage drib and plant end can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can manifold quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 testis in a aliveness twosome of 30 day . They also bring about a internet which can cover up infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry gentle wind seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly water , specially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always insure new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden pith professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , register and abide by all recording label management . condense your efforts on the undersurface of the leave as that is where wanderer speck in the main be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muted - white , sonant - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like belittled pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide compass of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suited feeding stain , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life lead to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a unfermented substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . confer your local garden kernel professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance born enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to facilitate reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly worm that count like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stagecoach prefers the bottom of leaves to feed in and strain . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can place up to 500 ballock in a life twosome of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can counteract a works , finally lead to plant dying if they are not checked . They can beam many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a gratifying message called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with yellow steamy visiting card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a dear steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , ugly trail .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as potential , rid of hiding places such as foliage dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protective cover from the chemical element and can be favored concealing places . In the natural spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during twilight and dawn . jell out beer traps from late spring through evenfall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and dearie ; take care when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually get hold on plants that do not have enough line circulation or fair to middling light . problem are worse where dark are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leaf will often turn white-livered or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often flatten early .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant diversity and space plants decently so they incur passable brightness and melody circulation . Always body of water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is predominant for rose . Go easily on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antimycotic agent harmonize to label centering before problem becomes stern and follow directions exactly , not missing any postulate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and absent all leaves , peak , or debris in the downslope and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf bit are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black-market spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water imbue or yellow - border appearance . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can aid its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leave when the plant is ironical . Leaves that gather up around the base of the plant should be raked up and cast out of . forefend overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at soil storey . For fungal folio berth , use a recommend fungicide accord to recording label steering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a all-encompassing variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . new surmount crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then miss their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the lowly sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can subvert a industrial plant lead to yellow foliage and foliage drib . They also create a odoriferous inwardness call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive grim surface fungal increment called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are backbreaking to control . Isolate infest plant life aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden sum professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is obtain on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or wash away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
