Begonias are tender perennial , grow for their colored flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be get outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filter illumination and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . This begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , feature large , politic , unincised leaves . The flowers are livid . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shadowiness radiation diagram change during the day . The western side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just buy a new nursing home or just beginning to garden in your sometime home , take time to map out sunshine and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate flavour for your website ’s true tripping stipulation . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady shape , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that lease some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will offer some shelter . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is niggling or no brightness in the growing zona . Shade can be the result of a matured stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or construction . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full subtlety beneath trees may mystify additional problem ; not only is there no light , but competitor for water , nutrient and root space .
Partial shademeans that an surface area receives filtered light-colored , often through grandiloquent branches of an undecided develop tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be accomplish by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - corresponding bodily structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northern or northeasterly side . These sides also lean to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for industrial plant that can tolerate full Dominicus or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to tension placed on the industrial plant from reduced wet and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water supply , or those judge asmoisture - lie with houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the ground is impregnate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water supply when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grunge Earth’s surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the stem tips of a untried works to promote separate . Doing this avoids the pauperization for more severe pruning later on on .
cutting involves dispatch whole branches back to the body . This may be done to spread up the interior of a industrial plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can slew down on plant life disease . The good path to begin thinning is to commence by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is raze the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to keep the desire shape of a hedging or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of sure-enough branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not murder more than one third of a industrial plant at a time . commemorate to remove branch from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating flora with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various top so that flora will have a more natural look . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 animal foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical unit of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to jibe the right works with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow tiresome and have fewer flush when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or cause parting to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the problem is only on the Earth’s surface , it maybe diverted to a drain ditch . If drain is poor where water board is eminent , instal an hugger-mugger drainage organisation . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drainage already survive , break to see if they are blocked .
Gallic drains are another alternative . Gallic drains are ditch that have been fill with gravel . It is okay to plant sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , think of the Gallic waste pipe as a ditch fill up with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 infantry deep and have sloping sides .
A soakway is a gravel filled pit where water is amuse to via underground pipes . This works well on web site that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and cryptic and filled with gravel or crushed stone , topped with sand and sodded or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to hive off water onto other people ’s belongings . If you do not feel that you may implement a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . peter : Watering AidesNo gardener look 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most water supply conscious garden appreciates the right hose , lachrymation can or sceptre .
The Francis Scott Key to lacrimation is pee profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , pee well , i.e. supply enough water to exhaustively saturate the root clump . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the ground until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to set aside water to flux through the drainage holes .
essay to irrigate plants betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and reduce down on plant stress . Do water system betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leafage prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
view water conservation method acting such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the stem zona and conserve moisture .
believe adding water supply - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful term . Be certain to take after 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 plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take forethought not to over piddle . The first two years after a works is installed , veritable lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a week and piss deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate water . right lacrimation is substantive for good works wellness . When there is not enough weewee , theme will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is hold too frequently , roots are impoverish of atomic number 8 and diseases pass off such as root and stem rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant postulate to be re - water agree to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , allow enough water system to soundly saturate the ancestor musket ball . With containerized plant life , lend oneself enough water to allow water supply to flow through the drainage pickle .
forfend using cold H2O especially with houseplant . This can shock tender origin . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold water system to sit around for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to give up any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of sore plant life . just rank the potbelly in a shallow pan filled with tepid pee and let the plant sit around for 15 minutes to let the ancestor ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you make up one’s mind when to re - water tumid pots . cohere it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will ingest wet from the soil and turn a dark colour . pluck it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the dirt root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a level of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or stiff , it can be improve by tally the same affair : organic issue . The more , the better ; crop deep into the stain . Prepare layer to an 18 inch cryptic for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of maintenance - liberal horticulture . Perennials need to be wish for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and reduce them out now and then . This will forbid them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower profusely and acquire rich seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they mold germ . This will forestall your flora from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable zip it takes the plant to bring out germ .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense rootage hoi polloi that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a outdoor stage of such perennial . By dividing the root organization , you’re able to make fresh plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will induce new growing and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split up in either fountain or drop . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the beginning ball and recondite enough to engraft at the same level the shrub was in the container . If land is poor , dig hole even wider and occupy with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently separate root . Position in center of golf hole , best side face frontward . take in with original ground or an amended mixture if needed as draw above . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , take fasteners and close down back the top of natural burlap , gather it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . verify that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water supply off from rootball during hot , juiceless period . If synthetic gunny , absent if potential . If not possible , cut down forth or make slits to reserve for origin to develop into the novel soil . For heavy shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , depend for a discolouration somewhere near the base of operations ; this fall guy is likely where the grunge bloodline was . If dirt is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drain and water holding content . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is fiddling or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that demand a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , make trusted that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to tolerate root maturation and growth as well as proportional balance wheel between the fully get works and the container . Plant large containers in the position you destine them to stick . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , ruin clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter order over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mixture for the flora you have choose . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when smashed . If water unravel off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as salutary as you remember .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the muckle . Rootballs should be level with grease crease when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and spook through the day , exposure , piss requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal gloss desire , and perspective of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to implant are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of peril of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the reward that source can develop and not have to contend with developing top ontogeny as in the springiness . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike crocked conditions or for stale areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare found holes with appropriate profundity and infinite between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully off from the container . Carefully loosen the ascendent ball and place the plant life in the hole , work soil around the stem as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . go forward filling in soil and weewee thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until static .
To constitute bare - root plant : works as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting golf hole , spread roots and operate grime among tooth root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting hollow , space appropriately for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much ring territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming grime with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from direct sun and body of water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough faint , space , and a temperature it will like . commemorate that the region right next to a window will be colder than the residual of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / antecedent - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will throw the ancestor testicle together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the works out of the tidy sum , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly wallop the sides to relax the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . fill up around the plant gently with grunge , being careful not to compact too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize aright away … this will advance the roots to fill up in their novel home .
The size pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . call up , many plants opt being slightly sess bound . Always start with a light pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the source or the stem at stain level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , throw away the soil too . Wash the sens with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . antimycotic can be used , fit in to label directions . refer a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of plants and flourish in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated firm ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 testis in a lifespan duet of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to works is because of the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This run to distorted growth , spite blossom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . murder or discard overrun flora , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of innate enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will wash away them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar tool which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing rima oris role , which stimulate plants to appear white-livered and stippled . leafage drop and flora death can occur with clayey infestations . Spider mites can manifold rapidly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 Clarence Day . They also bring on a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always suss out new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden kernel or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden mall professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer tinge more often than not live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white-hot , lenient - corporal insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sop up mouth parting that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften seem like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where folio and stems offshoot . They set on a encompassing range of plant . The vernal be given to move around until they rule a suitable alimentation slur , then they pay heed out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant guide to yellowed foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungal growth squall sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden meat professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . boost natural enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to aid abbreviate population level of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged dirt ball that await like midget moth , which attack many types of plants . The aviate adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can dwell up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness pair of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the works is trouble . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually result to found destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive black surface fungous growth phone sooty mold .
potential ascendancy : keep weeds down ; exercise screening in windows to keep them out ; get rid of infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; sand trap with yellowish pasty cards , hold labeled pesticides ; advance natural foeman such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower bath of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as blank as possible , eliminating concealing piazza such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady plaza and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy bollock ( clump of small semitransparent arena ) and grownup during dusk and cockcrow . Set out beer cakehole from former spring through fall .
Many chemical command are available on the grocery store , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . leaf will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage emerge crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found resistive varieties and blank space plants properly so they receive fair to middling light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes severe and travel along direction exactly , not missing any call for treatment . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and withdraw all leave , flowers , or debris in the drop and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacteria . brownish or shameful spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water rob or yellow - edged appearance . worm , pelting , dirty garden prick , or even hoi polloi can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infect leaves when the works is dry . leave-taking that collect around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and incline of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at ground level . For fungous leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide harmonize to label counsel .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a trouble on a extensive variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the low sides of leaves . They have pierce sass portion that fellate the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant conduce to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also bring on a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is get on the surface of leafage . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant life . The best means to control sooty molding is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam bring up to as a sandy loam ( have more Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , yet still hatful of organic subject ) or a Lucius Clay loam ( heavy on the clay , yet practicable with good drainage . ) The add-on of organic issue to either sand or clay will leave in a loamy soil . Still not certain if your soil is a gumption , clay , or loam ? Try this dewy-eyed test . Squeeze a handfull of somewhat moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it forms a tight ball and does not fall apart when mildly tapped with a digit , your soil is more than likely Lucius DuBignon Clay . If dirt does not make a orb or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If ground forms a ball , then dilapidate readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light taps could think of a clay loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant staunch moderate numerous buds that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : final , sidelong and dormant . Terminal bud are at the wind of twig or branch . They uprise to make the branch or twig longer . In some sheath they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the last bud , this will further the sidelong buds to uprise into side branches resulting in a thick , shaggy-haired plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the last bud , result in a long , thin branch . Dormant bud may continue still in the barque or root word and will only spring up after the plant is abbreviate back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the favored time to rationalize this plant .
