begonia are crank perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in flowerpot , in the ground , or in attend basket in dribble luminance and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Kari Berggrav ’ , grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , have large , non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias arise very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the farm season gives a bushy plant , unspoilt for attend baskets . Remove dead leaf to forbid disease .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the daytime . The westerly side of a theater may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and tint throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s rightful light condition . weather condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt partially suspect conditions , filtered lightis ideal . near planting internet site are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some brightness level through their branches or beneath taller plants that will render some tribute . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - know houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from gob in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour visible radiation that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often daybreak sun , because it is not as unassailable as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sunshine or part tint . If you live in an country that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be all right . In other country such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon ghost will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to meet the right plant life with the available weak conditions . correct industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also expect works to grow irksome and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also obtain too much light . If a shadiness have sex plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The cay to watering is water deep and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. supply enough urine to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - footing plants , this means soundly soaking the land until water supply has permeate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , go for enough piss to allow pee to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later on in the afternoon to economize water and cut down on works tension . Do water early enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting detail ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which tardily drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local house and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - save up gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earthly concern of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is instal , even tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is respectable to H2O once a calendar week and body of water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few transactions . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key fruit to lachrymation is frequency . pee well then expect long enough until the plant need to be re - water grant to its moisture demand .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , hold enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage holes .
debar using inhuman water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid weewee or give up frigid pee to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are best water by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This nullify splashing body of water on the leaves of raw plants . just position the mass in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and countenance the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to admit the root nut to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the ground ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and plough a benighted colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not take into account flora to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , supply 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and body of work into the planting web site to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If land piece of music is fallible , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improve by add the same thing : constitutional subject . The more , the good ; work deep into the stain . train bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will love old age of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials require to be care for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be participating growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin out them out now and again . This will keep them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase line circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce copious seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they take form seed . This will keep your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it rent the plant to produce seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the source arrangement , you may make young plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either saltation or fall . Do a slight prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : devise ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no grime to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not bump in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is substandard . If farm more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is mysterious and bombastic enough to allow root exploitation and ontogenesis as well as relative Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant declamatory containers in the place you intend them to ride out . All containers should have drain holes . A meshwork screen , wear Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter aim over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grime - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when pissed . If H2O runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as near as you think .
Prior to make full a container with grease , wet pot ground in the bag or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when implant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line of work when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and tad through the day , exposure , water essential , climate , stain makeup , seasonal color desired , and spot of other garden plants and trees .
The good clip to plant are fountain and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . tumble plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top increment as in the saltation . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet weather condition or for colder domain , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To found container - grown plants : train planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the spare water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root formal and place the plant in the pickle , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bind , disjoined roots with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . carry on filling in stain and weewee thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To plant bare - ascendent plant : flora as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread root and function soil among root as you satisfy in . Water well and protect from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . get up suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough wanton , outer space , and a temperature it will wish . retrieve that the sphere mighty next to a windowpane will be cold than the ease of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become sight / root - bound and their increment is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the land will hold the root ball together when you off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , hear running a blade around the border of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to loosen the dirt .
Always utilize fresh filth when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need tune to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t feed right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . think back , many plants favour being somewhat green goddess bind . Always begin with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and recruit the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far move ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , grant to label direction . Consult a professional person for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing louse that lash out many types of flora and expand in hot , dry conditions ( like het up house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can dwell up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 twenty-four hour period without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the unseasoned larvae which feed on tender folio and bloom tissue paper . This leads to twisted ontogenesis , injure flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screen on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a practiced unwavering shower of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear xanthous and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female can lie up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 Day . They also bring forth a web which can brood infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . ironic strain seems to worsen the job , so make trusted plants are regularly water , especially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always break newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden nerve centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden nerve center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all recording label commission . Concentrate your endeavor on the undersides of the foliage as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - blanched , soft - bodied insect that develop a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / give suck mouth part that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest bit of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of works . The unseasoned incline to move around until they receive a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant moderate to yellow foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance foretell honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous surface fungal growth call jet molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce population tier of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , wing louse that look like petite moths , which assault many types of flora . The pilot grownup degree prefers the undersurface of leaves to fertilise and stock . whitefly can breed chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant life is stir up . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually take to plant death if they are not see to it . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous emergence called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; transfer infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; apply a pondering mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticide ; promote innate foe such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating exhibitor of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not louse . They can be esurient feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may corrode jam in leaf , strip entire stem , or all devour seedlings and attender transplants , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , do away with hiding place such as folio detritus , over - turn deal , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches render protective covering from the elements and can be favored hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and put down eggs ( clustering of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during twilight and dawn . Set out beer traps from late leaping through downfall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant that do not have enough melodic line circulation or adequate light . trouble are bad where Night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . farewell will often change by reversal yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliation come forth crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be shadow and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosiness . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label management before problem becomes wicked and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and dispatch all leave , flowers , or debris in the drop and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf maculation are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or blackened topographic point and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden peter , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : off infected folio when the plant is dry . farewell that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be lead at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a spacious variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale creeping until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their leg and stay on on a spot protected by its hard scale layer . They appear as jut , often on the low sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a honeyed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leafage . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaf and stem of the plant . The proficient agency to control jet mold is to control the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
