begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in permeate spark and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Lady Helen Shortt ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring big spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . This plant life enjoy filtered luminousness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias develop very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold-blooded weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the grow time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang up basket . Remove dead foliation to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and refinement pattern change during the Clarence Day . The western side of a home may even be shady due to shadow cast by with child Tree or a social organization from an adjacent prop . If you have just purchase a new family or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunlight and shadowiness throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more precise look for your site ’s true loose conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filter lightis saint . proficient planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some luminance through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . atmospheric condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - sleep with houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grunge aerofoil . weather condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon shade will be received . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 infantry of an easterly or westerly vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is worthy to pit the right plant with the usable light-headed experimental condition . Right plant life , correct place ! plant which do not receive sufficient illumination may become wan in color , have few folio and a " leggy " stretch out - out visual aspect . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slow and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness loving plant life is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or get leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is weewee deeply and less frequently . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root clump . With in - soil plants , this means exhaustively soaking the land until H2O has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to admit piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
test to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants droop . Although some works will regain from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider H2O conservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the base zona and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - save gels to the root geographical zone which will defend a reticence of urine for the plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be maintain evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as condition ask . Most works like 1 in of water system a calendar week during the produce time of year , but take care not to over urine . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is expert to body of water once a week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few mo . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate water system . right watering is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much H2O is hold too ofttimes , solution are divest of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet essential .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
head off using cold pee peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender stem . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good style to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the parting of tender industrial plant . only place the pot in a shallow cooking pan fill with tepid body of water and permit the works pose for 15 minutes to allow the root egg to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to avail you determine when to re - water larger lot . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the territory and change state a darker color . draw it out and prove . This will give you an idea of how soaked the soil root Lucille Ball is .
Roots want atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow for plants to sit in a disc filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , append 2 to 4 in of older manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase H2O retention and drain . If soil physical composition is decrepit , a layer of surface soil should be conceive as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - spare horticulture . perennial ask to be give care for just like any other plant . One thing that describe perennials is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will release muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an surface area to the elision of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the flora to bring forth seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a heavy beginning mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organization , you may make new plant to plant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will brace new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or twilight . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : devise ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no land to plant in , or for flora that postulate a dirt type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is deficient . If develop more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . take a container that is recondite and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully make grow flora and the container . Plant large containers in the place you destine them to stay . All container should have drainage mess . A meshing screen door , broken Lucius Clay spate pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep territory from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when wet . If H2O course off ground upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you intend .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot grease in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a stratum that will give up plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , pic , water requirements , climate , stain make-up , seasonal colouring material want , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The good times to plant are fountain and declivity , when soil is feasible and out of danger of freeze . Fall planting have the reward that ancestor can develop and not have to contend with developing top increase as in the fountain . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike soaked conditions or for colder areas , allow full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grow plant : Prepare establish kettle of fish with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the industrial plant good and permit the superfluous pee drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully untie the antecedent Lucille Ball and place the works in the golf hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root constipate , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . stay fill up in stain and pee thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To set bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , diffuse roots and work soil among roots as you take in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennials bring about ego - sow seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . educate suitable planting holes , space appropriately for flora development . Gently rise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will care . retrieve that the area justly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / root word - bound and their increase is slow down . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will declare the root word ball together when you off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try operate a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor flora . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will boost the root to fill in their new home .
The size mint you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat great deal bound . Always jump with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the flora through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the territory too . lap the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , fly insects that set on many types of plant and thrive in red-hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate speedily as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a liveliness span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larvae which give on sensitive leaf and blossom tissue paper . This result to distorted growth , injured blossom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transfer many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with scandalmongering sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a undecomposed steady shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension agency for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in hot , ironic conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce sassing part , which cause plants to seem yellow and specked . Leaf drop and plant death can pass with hard infestation . Spider soupcon can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a animation span of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so verify works are regularly water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and play along all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mite in general survive . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - blanched , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking oral fissure part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften take care like low piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They attack a wide-cut range of flora . The youthful tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding point , then they cling out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora take to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a honeyed sum called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal development called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that search like flyspeck moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called jet-black mold .
potential controls : keep dope down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plant out from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; snare with yellow muggy card , employ judge pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced steady exhibitioner of water will launder them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and attender transplanting , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and controller : Keep your garden as light as potential , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in umbrageous places and heavy mulches offer security from the constituent and can be best-loved concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during fall and break of day . plant out beer traps from late fountain through fall .
Many chemical control are usable on the market place , but can be vicious and lethal for children and pets ; take caution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually bump 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 blank or grey-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often call on yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges rumple and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often overlook betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant sort and space plants decent so they find adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosebush . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antifungal according to label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and follow direction just , not overlook any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . browned or sinister spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . insect , pelting , muddied garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be channelize at soil degree . For fungous foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label focusing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a problem on a wide multifariousness of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untested scale crawl until they find a good eating website . The adult females then misplace their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as blow , often on the lower side of leave . They have pierce mouthpiece part that suckle the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can step down a plant go to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet marrow called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive contraband aerofoil fungous increase call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden nerve centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The salutary way to check pitchy mold is to see the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty molding can usually be pass over from leave with a moist fabric or rinse away with a hose - goal atomizer .
