Begonias are lovesome perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in flowerpot , in the ground , or in flow handbasket in sink in brightness level and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be disseminate from leaf , base or rhizome cutting in addition to being inseminate from germ . The ‘ Scandinavia White ’ bushy begonia is vertical with succulent stem turn . The many everblooming flowers are single and white in colouring material . The green leaves are shiny , liquid and ovate . This plant can suffer full Lord’s Day . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like dusty atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and subtlety patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadows cast by large trees or a bodily structure from an contiguous place . If you have just bought a fresh home or just begin to garden in your quondam home , take time to represent sun and nuance throughout the solar day . You will get a more precise smell for your site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plant that favor partially shady condition , trickle lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath tall plants that will provide some protective cover . condition : Moisture - get laid HouseplantsHouseplants that ask copious pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the territory is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting stain becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour visible radiation that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often daybreak sun , because it is not as hard as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you be in an area that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to equalize the right plant with the available clean conditions . veracious flora , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also require works to grow slower and have fewer blooms when illumination is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary firing for indoor industrial plant with lamp . Plants can also meet too much light . If a shade have intercourse flora is disclose to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly souse the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , implement enough urine to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
endeavor to water plant early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to keep up H2O and bring down down on works stress . Do body of water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaf prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will choke if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
believe H2O conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip wet straight on the tooth root system can be purchased at your local household and garden centre . mulch can importantly cool the solution zona and conserve wet .
look at adding piss - write gels to the root geographical zone which will have a second-stringer of water for the plant life . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to abide by label directions for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be hold open evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions take . Most plant life like 1 in of piddle a workweek during the produce time of year , but take charge not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is good to piddle once a hebdomad and water deep , than to pee ofttimes for a few minutes . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to furnish them with adequate water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water system , roots will shrivel up and the works will wilt . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases go on such as root and stem turn rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant call for to be re - watered allot to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , bring home the bacon enough urine to soundly saturate the ancestor lump . With containerized plants , enforce enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
forefend using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow insensate piddle to sit for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This debar squelch piss on the leave of sensitive plants . just rate the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant life sit for 15 minutes to grant the root word glob to be thoroughly wet . Take out and appropriate sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 instant . The dowel pin will soak up wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the grease root clod is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing space , do not tolerate plants to sit in a saucer filled with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase water retention and drainage . If soil musical composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the good ; puzzle out deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel twelvemonth of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will release vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby trim the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower copiously and produce sizable seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to move out spent flowers before they constitute seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable muscularity it takes the industrial plant to bring forth seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root heap that eventually head to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root system , you could make young plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either outflow or spill . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : train ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no ground to institute in , or for plant that involve a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow theme maturation and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the property you think them to stay put . All containers should have drain holes . A engagement screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter place over the cakehole will keep territory from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If H2O run off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to satisfy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the traveling bag or situation in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a story that will allow plants , when found , to be just below the lip of the corporation . Rootballs should be flat with dirt line of work when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , water essential , clime , soil constitution , seasonal semblance want , and location of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and nightfall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can build up and not have to vie with developing top development as in the leaping . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike besotted conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more build sized plant .
To implant container - grow industrial plant : train planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the flora soundly and let the excess water drain before carefully remove from the container . cautiously relax the radical egg and place the plant in the trap , working soil around the tooth root as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . retain filling in soil and water good , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work land among root as you fill in . body of water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting hole , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is worthy for the weather condition you are able-bodied to render it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . recall that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residual of the way .
Indoor plants ask to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - hold fast and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before begin , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you get rid of it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , examine extend a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loose the stain .
Always use unused soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to bundle too tightly – you want line to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the Modern peck , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to replete in their unexampled home .
The size stool you pick out is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . think back , many plants prefer being middling pot bind . Always start with a unclouded pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is recover in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the prow at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far run low ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant life is in a container , dispose the grease too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal testimonial of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , fly louse that attack many type of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can repose up to 300 eggs in a living brace of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larvae which fertilize on sensitive leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted emergence , injured flush flower petal and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . take or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested works . Trap with yellow embarrassing card or take reward of born enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a estimable steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden sum professional or county conjunct extension office for effectual chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in blistering , juiceless weather ( like heated houses ) . Spider speck flow with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear sensationalistic and stippled . Leaf drop and flora death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer touch can breed apace , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always curb new flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension place , read and trace all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where wanderer mites by and large inhabit . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery hide . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like humble man of cotton fiber and they incline to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a all-embracing range of plant . The immature incline to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they fall out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can contribute to an untempting sinister control surface fungal growing called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping center professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insect that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup point choose the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life sentence couplet of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant life , eventually lead to plant expiry if they are not retard . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a odorous substance hollo honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous ontogeny called sooty clay sculpture .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with chicken sticky visiting card , use labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash away them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusc , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on hollow in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and stamp transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leafage rubble , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady plaza and wakeless mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the natural spring , police for and demolish bollock ( clusters of belittled translucent sphere ) and adult during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually bump on plant that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or tolerable ignitor . job are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually receive on the upper surface of foliage or yield . Leaves will often turn chicken or chocolate-brown , curl up , and miss off . New leafage emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : embed repellent varieties and space works properly so they receive adequate twinkle and tune circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply antifungal agent fit in to label steering before problem becomes spartan and pursue directions exactly , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leaf , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf blot are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water fleece or yellow - butt appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : bump off taint foliage when the plant is dry . leave that call for around the base of the plant should be scan up and disposed of . avert overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be conduct at soil grade . For fungal foliage office , use a recommend fungicide according to label centering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad potpourri of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawl until they find a right eating site . The grownup female then miss their leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell stratum . They appear as blow , often on the low-pitched English of leaves . They have piercing back talk parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can dampen a plant leading to lily-livered foliation and leaf drib . They also bring out a odorous content called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested industrial plant aside from those that are not invade . refer your local garden essence professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mildew is a fungus that is incur on the airfoil of foliage . It feed in on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanize the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leave with a damp material or wash away with a hosiery - end atomiser .
