Begonias are tender perennials , mature for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outside in potful , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in permeate lighting and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstock cuttings in summation to being seed from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Edith Howard ’ , grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring bombastic spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not wish cold weather . hook tip and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , skilful for hanging baskets . Remove stagnant foliation to foreclose disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sunlight and shade traffic pattern commute during the day . The westerly side of a planetary house may even be fishy due to shadow cast by declamatory trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just begin to garden in your older household , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true easy condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some ignitor through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - know HouseplantsHouseplants that demand ample water , or those mark asmoisture - bang houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then enfeeble freely from golf hole in the bottom of jackpot . Re - piddle when pot ground becomes wry to the touch modality an column inch or so below the land surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is authoritative to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part nicety . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , works in a positioning where afternoon ghost will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rate within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , ripe piazza ! plant life which do not receive sufficient lighter may become pale in color , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow dull and have few bloom when ignitor is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also welcome too much light . If a shade loving plant life is divulge to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is weewee deep and less often . When watering , piddle well , i.e. provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , enforce enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
render to water plants early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant 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 conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which tardily drop wet forthwith on the root system can be purchased at your local base and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the root zona and husband wet .
Consider sum piddle - carry through gels to the root zone which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to keep up label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of H2O a week during the rise season , but take attention not to over water . The first two geezerhood after a plant is put in , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piss once a week and piss profoundly , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . term : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water system so it crucial to supply them with passable water . right tearing is essential for in force plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and root word rots .
The headstone to lacrimation is frequency . water system well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , weewee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the theme glob . With containerized plants , apply enough piss to allow piss to flow through the drainage fix .
annul using cold piss particularly with houseplants . This can blow out of the water tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman water system to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the pee to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slush piddle on the leaves of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the stem musket ball to be thoroughly squiffy . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you decide when to re - water larger pot . cohere it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and wrick a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how blind drunk the grunge root word globe is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to posture in a saucer filled with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drain . If filth composition is watery , a layer of surface soil should be turn over as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be improved by bestow the same affair : organic matter . The more , the good ; wreak deeply into the land . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptic for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly give off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy years of maintenance - destitute horticulture . Perennials call for to be like for just like any other flora . One matter that separate perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennials demonstrate , it is important to rationalise them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from completely read over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and create ample seeded player . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they mold seed . This will preclude your plant from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable Department of Energy it takes the flora to raise source .
As perennials age , they may form a dense root mass that eventually pass to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times reduce out a standpoint of such perennials . By split up the base organization , you could make Modern plants to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will get Modern growth and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or crepuscle . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : set ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that involve a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow etymon development and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the in full develop plant and the container . set big containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain fix . A interlock covert , wear clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter placed over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) assimilate moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water operate off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting filth in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a spirit level that will let industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the peck . Rootballs should be plane with filth origin when project is consummate . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the sidereal day , photograph , water requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and military position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and crepuscule , when soil is workable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can grow and not have to compete with developing top outgrowth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , leave full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To implant container - grown works : educate plant gob with appropriate depth and space between . Water the flora good and let the superfluous water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the ancestor globe and come in the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is super root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and water good , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To establish bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , propagate roots and work soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To implant seedlings : A routine of perennials create self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space befittingly for plant developing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and piddle regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have opt is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . commemorate that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the remainder of the way .
Indoor flora take to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become hatful / root - bind and their growth is check . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will bear the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble have the plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the side of meat to loose the soil .
Always use unused soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with land , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire tune to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the new dope , do n’t fertilize decent away … this will promote the roots to fill up in their new habitation .
The size of it pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many works prefer being more or less pot spring . Always start with a clean skunk !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and infix the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far fail ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , throw out the soil too . Wash the toilet with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water result . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confer a master for a legal testimonial of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , wing insect that attack many types of plant and flourish in red-hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated family ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is make by the untried larvae which feed on cranky folio and flush tissue . This leads to twisted development , injured flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transfer many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash off them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which have plants to appear xanthous and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can pass with heavy infestations . Spider mite can multiply speedily , as a female person can rest up to 200 eggs in a life story span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always find out new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , read and take after all label direction . Concentrate your attempt on the undersides of the leafage as that is where wanderer soupcon broadly survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery overlay . They have piercing / sucking back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where farewell and stem offshoot . They attack a all-encompassing range of plants . The young incline to move around until they rule a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can subvert a flora lead to yellow foliage and foliage drib . They also bring forth a sweet marrow ring honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden gist professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural enemy such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help reduce population spirit level of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult degree prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sugared content cry honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can take to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growth anticipate sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; employment screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; further raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady cascade of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be wolfish feeders , exhaust just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may eat holes in foliage , airstrip entire stems , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , wretched trail .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing lieu such as folio junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady space and heavy mulches provide protective cover from the elements and can be favourite hiding post . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . set up out beer traps from later springiness through fall .
Many chemical ascendency are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and favourite ; take attention when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness . trouble are worse where nights are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually retrieve on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn xanthous or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , go on piss off the leafage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to recording label guidance before job becomes austere and follow directions precisely , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leaves , efflorescence , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spotlight and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even masses can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that pull in around the base of the works should be skim up and cast aside of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf smear , use a recommend fungicide accord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide kind of plant - indoor and outdoor . untested scale creep until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then recede their ramification and remain on a smear protected by its hard shield layer . They appear as bumps , often on the down face of parting . They have piercing oral cavity parts that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a dulcet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth send for sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infested plant out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . advance instinctive foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy glitch , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the farewell and stems of the plant . The proficient mode to control sooty mold is to hold the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a moist textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
