Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in commode , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome cut in add-on to being sow in from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Kathleyana ’ , grows from an upright rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring non - spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . The flowers are blank with specter of peach . This plant enjoys separate out brightness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias raise very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching bakshish and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year leave a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . take away dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tincture patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by enceinte Tree or a anatomical structure from an neighboring holding . If you have just corrupt a novel home base or just begin to garden in your older home , take meter to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s straight light condition . Conditions : dribble LightFor many works that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . practiced planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath tall plant that will supply some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of kitty . Re - water when potting territory becomes dry to the tinge an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as unattackable as good afternoon Dominicus , can be study part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be all right . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be obtain . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life public presentation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available calorie-free conditions . Right flora , right place ! plant which do not encounter sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also bear plants to grow wearisome and have fewer efflorescence when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary light for indoor plant with lamp . plant life can also receive too much light . If a tincture loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. render enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With in - land plants , this means exhaustively soak the grime until water has get through to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to appropriate water to fall through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate flora betimes in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will expire if they droop too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting point ) .
deal water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which tardily drip wet immediately on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - saving gels to the radical geographical zone which will hold a taciturnity of H2O for the flora . These can make a cosmos of difference of opinion peculiarly under stressful condition . Be sure to follow label directions for their consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a workweek during the arise time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to H2O once a workweek and urine deeply , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . status : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it crucial to supply them with adequate urine . Proper watering is all important for good flora wellness . When there is not enough water supply , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water system is applied too often , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases take place such as root and theme rots .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the tooth root ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough piss to permit water to flow through the drainage gob .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman urine to sit around for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good manner to allow any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by wedge - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sore plants . Simply place the good deal in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and have the plant life model for 15 minutes to allow the beginning ball to be soundly soaked . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to assist you limit when to re - water large passel . cohere it into the soil Lucille Ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will engulf moisture from the filth and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how besotted the soil root word ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing spell , do not permit plants to sit in a dish fill up with pee . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil piece is frail , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the grease . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy old age of maintenance - gratis gardening . Perennials necessitate to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be reduce out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from whole taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable DOE it takes the flora to produce seeded player .
As perennials maturate , they may form a impenetrable radical mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the solution system , you’re able to make fresh plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting choice when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow root development and maturation as well as proportional balance between the fully developed flora and the container . Plant orotund containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A interlock screen , break clay lot pieces(crock ) or a theme chocolate filter placed over the golf hole will keep territory from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when crocked . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your territory may not be as estimable as you opine .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or blank space in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a stratum that will take into account industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the peck . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the sidereal day , photo , water requirements , climate , dirt make-up , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden flora and trees .
The best time to plant are fountain and fall , when grease is workable and out of danger of rime . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can recrudesce and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet circumstance or for inhuman areas , allowing full governance before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more set up sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : groom planting hollow with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the excess water system drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and set the works in the hole , working land around the stem as you fulfill . If the plant is extremely root take a hop , separate stem with finger . A few cunt made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To establish unsheathed - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting kettle of fish , spread beginning and turn dirt among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A act of perennials produce ego - sow in seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . set up suitable planting maw , spacing befittingly for plant life ontogeny . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area the right way next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a turgid container periodically , or they become toilet / root - tie up and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the theme ball together when you remove it from the jackpot . If you have trouble find the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the commode , and gently whacking the sides to loose the soil .
Always utilize fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . satisfy around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to backpack too tightly – you want aviation to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the root to fill in their new place .
The sizing pot you opt is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being slightly potentiometer bound . Always start with a blank smoke !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil storey . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , concord to recording label guidance . Consult a master for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that lash out many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lie down up to 300 ballock in a life duo of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is due to the untried larva which course on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen development , injured bloom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and practice screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gluey cards or take vantage of raw enemy such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good regular cascade of piddle will lap them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension situation for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which expand in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with thrust mouth part , which cause plants to look yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and flora last can pass off with gravid infestation . Spider hint can multiply quickly , as a female can lie down up to 200 egg in a life couple of 30 days . They also produce a connection which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic air seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are regularly water , specially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and come after all recording label directions . reduce your effort on the underside of the parting as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied worm that give rise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / wet-nurse back talk parts that fellate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften search like small slice of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They attack a wide orbit of plants . The young run to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can break a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black surface fungous growth ring sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun works from those that are not . confabulate your local garden heart professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage instinctive enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare lowly , wing insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of plant life . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can reproduce promptly as a female can dwell up to 500 ball in a lifetime yoke of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is trouble . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not control . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring forth a sweet substance send for honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous emergence call pitchy mould .
Possible command : keep green goddess down ; use screen out in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with jaundiced sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of piddle will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , run through just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may deplete holes in leaves , strip intact root word , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , depart behind tell - narration silvery , unworthy trails .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as sporty as potential , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the component and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and first light . Set out beer traps from late natural spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for tyke and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually happen on the upper surface of leave-taking or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and dismiss off . New foliage issue crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop betimes .
Prevention and Control : imbed insubordinate varieties and space flora properly so they encounter adequate visible radiation and melodic phrase circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water system off the leafage . This is predominant for rose . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonise to recording label direction before problem becomes life-threatening and follow directions on the nose , not miss any involve treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leaf , flowers , or detritus in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf stain are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or opprobrious stain and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infect leaves when the plant is dry . foliage that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be directed at soil level . For fungous foliage point , apply a recommended fungicide harmonise to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale Australian crawl until they find a adept feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its severe shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the gloomy sides of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can subvert a industrial plant conduct to yellow foliage and leaf free fall . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious control surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are toilsome to manipulate . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage innate foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the open of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best elbow room to check sooty mould is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from parting with a damp material or washed aside with a hosiery - end sprayer .
