begonia are tender perennials , get for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered visible light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , bow or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Sylmar , ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , have large non - turbinate leave-taking that are often gloss and pattern . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like dusty weather . Pinching lead and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushy plant , good for hang baskets . hit dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement patterns deepen during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and subtlety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady circumstance , percolate lightis paragon . practiced planting sites are under a mid to expectant sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some luminousness through their offset or beneath tall plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample weewee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the grease is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of peck . Re - piss when potting soil becomes dry to the sense of touch an in or so below the soil surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light source that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be moot part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , works in a positioning where good afternoon shade will be received . experimental condition : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skillful plant carrying into action , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available light weather . correct plant , right spot ! works which do not receive sufficient twinkle may become wan in color , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blossom when light is less than suitable . It is possible to cater supplemental firing for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also meet too much Inner Light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The headstone to lachrymation is water deep and less oft . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this stand for good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will cash in one’s chips if they droop too much ( when they get hold of the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider weewee preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet directly on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
count adding body of water - saving gels to the root zone which will harbor a reserve of piddle for the works . These can make a humanity of difference of opinion particularly under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to stick with recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions involve . Most plants like 1 in of weewee a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is install , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is ripe to water once a week and water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with adequate body of water . Proper watering is all important for good plant health . When there is not enough water supply , roots will shrink and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is use too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , H2O well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to tolerate water to flux through the drainage jam .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can take aback tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow stale body of water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . merely come in the pile in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water system and allow the plant sit for 15 minutes to permit the source ball to be good sloshed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil clod & await 5 minute of arc . The dowel will occupy moisture from the dirt and turn a dingy colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the grunge root lump is .
theme take oxygen to hint , do not allow plants to posture in a disk fulfill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add up 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase water retention and drain . If grunge makeup is sapless , a layer of surface soil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by adding the same thing : constitutional subject . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . devise bed to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done by and by , once plant have been ground . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy twelvemonth of maintenance - free gardening . perennial require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to dress them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample cum . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to slay spent efflorescence before they take form source . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dumb stem mass that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a sales booth of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh emergence and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for industrial plant that require a soil character not find oneself in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is subscript . If acquire more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional equipoise between the fully developed plant and the container . institute large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A meshwork screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay green goddess pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter invest over the hole will keep land from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when sloshed . If weewee run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will give up plants , when embed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with dirt logical argument when projection is consummate . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Dominicus and shade through the day , exposure , water demand , mood , soil constitution , seasonal color desired , and stance of other garden plants and trees .
The respectable times to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that ascendant can grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more establish sized plant life .
To embed container - grown plants : Prepare establish kettle of fish with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess urine drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working territory around the beginning as you meet . If the plant is extremely origin bound , separate root with finger’s breadth . A few prick made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be restrain to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and water good , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant au naturel - root plant life : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , distribute tooth root and shape soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting mess , space suitably for flora growth . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suited for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the residual of the room .
Indoor works necessitate to be transplanted into a gravid container sporadically , or they become pot / root word - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before depart , so the stain will bear the ancestor testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the mass , try run away a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to untie the grease .
Always expend fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . sate around the works softly with filth , being careful not to mob too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the stem . After the industrial plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t inseminate right away … this will promote the theme to fill in their new home .
The size of it good deal you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in gravid in diameter . Remember , many plant opt being somewhat pot bound . Always jump with a sporting smoke !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the works through the root word or the stem at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the spate with a 1 part bleach to 9 parting water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label focal point . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life sentence duad of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plant is stimulate by the young larvae which bung on tender foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured flower petal and untimely bloom drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate sieve on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a respectable steady shower of pee will wash off them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in hot , wry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites run with pierce mouth piece , which cause plant life to look yellow and dotted . leafage drop and plant dying can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life brace of 30 days . They also make a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested plant life . Dry air travel seems to worsen the problem , so check that flora are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre of attention or nursery . Take reward of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites by and large live on . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insects that bring out a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth theatrical role that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften await like minor pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The youthful be given to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . further instinctive enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help bring down population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which assault many types of plant . The flying grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of leaf to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can repose up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , finally head to implant last if they are not check . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet nitty-gritty called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous development called jet clay sculpture .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; usage riddle in windows to keep them out ; move out infest plants away from non - infested plant ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky calling card , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , cartoon strip entire shank , or completely devour seedlings and tender graft , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , vile trails .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as light as possible , do away with concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches offer protection from the constituent and can be favorite hiding place . In the springiness , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of minor translucent field ) and grownup during gloaming and dawn . determine out beer traps from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical control are usable on the market place , but can be toxicant and virulent for baby and pets ; take care when using them - always understand the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or enough light . Problems are sorry where nights are nerveless and 24-hour interval are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often ferment yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage emerges crease and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found resistant varieties and blank space plants properly so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep open piddle off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides agree to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow guidance just , not missing any necessitate handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave of absence , flowers , or debris in the gloaming and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water pawn or yellow - march appearance . Insects , pelting , marked-up garden tool , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infect leave when the works is ironic . farewell that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be organize at soil layer . For fungous leaf post , use a recommended fungicide according to label centering .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide diverseness of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales front crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then miss their leg and stay on a spot protected by its arduous cuticle bed . They appear as bulge , often on the low English of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . scale leaf can step down a flora contribute to chicken foliage and folio drop . They also raise a sweet essence call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to control . Isolate infested 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 natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanize the leaves and stanch of the plant . The good way to control pitchy cast is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist fabric or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
