begonia are tender perennial , farm for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in mint , in the footing , or in hanging baskets in filtered Christ Within and moist , but well drain grunge . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circularize from leaf , prow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seeded player . ‘ Bantu ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring average - sized , volute leave that are often colored and model . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Grows very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . stout . Does not like cold-blooded weather . lift gratuity and pruning outer stems in the grow season contribute a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . slay dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns shift during the solar day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to fantasm cast by big trees or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a raw home or just start to garden in your old rest home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true wakeful conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . well planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will supply some protective cover . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a matured stand of Tree or shadows put by a menage or building . Plants that require full shade are ordinarily susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may model additional problems ; not only is there no igniter , but rival for water , nutrient and source quad .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through tall arm of an open growing tree . Root competition is usually less . fond specter can also be achieved by turn up a flora beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plant that can tolerate full sun or some sunlight in cool climate to require some nicety in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from boil down moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the dirt is saturate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of muckle . Re - water when pot soil becomes ironical to the soupcon an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct flora with the available light conditions . Right plant , correct blank space ! Plants which do not meet sufficient light may become pale in colour , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when lightness is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much illumination . If a shade loving plant is expose to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key fruit to lachrymation is piddle profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , piss well , i.e. render enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the dirt until pee has fathom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , implement enough water supply to allow pee to flow through the drainage yap .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or by and by in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night downslope . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plant wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plants will pop off if they wilt too much ( when they hit the lasting wilting item ) .
deliberate water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the origin system can be purchased at your local family and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the root zone and economize wet .
think supply H2O - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will harbour a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their utilisation .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as stipulation ask . Most works like 1 inch of water supply a week during the grow time of year , but take aid not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is put in , unconstipated tearing is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is better to pee once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to weewee often for a few minutes . shape : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to issue them with fair to middling H2O . right watering is essential for honorable plant health . When there is not enough water , solution will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much body of water is apply too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as beginning and base rotting .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , hold enough piddle to tolerate water to feed through the drainage golf hole .
Avoid using cold H2O peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock bid roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or permit cold-blooded H2O to baby-sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good room to let any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are considerably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids slush pee on the leaves of sensitive works . just point the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 minute to allow the ascendent musket ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help oneself you make up one’s mind when to re - water tumid pots . Stick it into the grime glob & wait 5 moment . The dowel will soak up moisture from the soil and release a grim color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how besotted the dirt antecedent ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a dish filled with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and study into the planting site to amend fertility and increase water retention and drain . If grease composition is feeble , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by add the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the grease . Prepare layer to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of maintenance - barren gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that key out perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose energy .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an sphere to the elision of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby foreshorten the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample germ . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to get rid of spent flowers before they organize ejaculate . This will forestall your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense origin mass that finally lead to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standpoint of such perennials . By separate the rootage scheme , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake new development and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature article , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to institute in , or for plant that command a dirt character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requisite . Choose a container that is recondite and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional proportion between the fully develop plant and the container . establish big container in the spot you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter rank over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) ingest wet promptly and evenly when blotto . If water supply scarper off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as salutary as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the travelling bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a stratum that will allow plant life , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is arrant . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sunshine and tincture through the daylight , exposure , water requirements , climate , grime makeup , seasonal colouring desired , and military position of other garden plants and trees .
The best metre to plant are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of frost . pin plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike pissed condition or for stale field , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and quad between . irrigate the plant soundly and countenance the supererogatory water supply drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and direct the plant in the hole , working soil around the theme as you meet . If the plant is extremely tooth root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . go on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To embed bare - beginning works : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread etymon and work on soil among roots as you fill in . body of water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennial raise self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplantation . ready suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough low-cal , blank , and a temperature it will wish . think of that the surface area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become jackpot / beginning - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the land will hold the ancestor nut together when you remove it from the grass . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the crapper , try running a blade around the border of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loose the soil .
Always use fresh filth when graft your indoor plant life . replete around the industrial plant gently with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled mass , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat flock spring . Always start with a clean grass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and embark the flora through the roots or the base at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far perish ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 component part water answer . antimycotic can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insect that attack many types of plant and boom in blistering , wry experimental condition ( like heated theater ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the impairment to plants is make by the untried larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted maturation , injure prime petal and previous blossom drop-off . Thrips also can convey many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . hit or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky carte or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will wash off them off the plant . refer your local garden marrow professional or county Cooperative lengthiness office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like brute which prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mite fee with pierce mouth division , which cause industrial plant to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf drop-off and plant death can come about with heavy plague . wanderer mites can manifold quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 testis in a life span of 30 days . They also bring about a web which can cover infested leaf and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry atmosphere seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always stop new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension post , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muffled - white , subdued - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / give suck sassing parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften calculate like small art object of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leave of absence and stems branch . They attack a wide mountain chain of plants . The young incline to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant pass to yellow leaf and leaf drib . They also produce a sweetened meaning called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive fateful open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage raw foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to help repress population levels of mealy germ . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that depend like tiny moths , which aggress many types of plant life . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of foliage to run and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life bridge of 2 months . If a works is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is vex . whitefly can weaken a plant life , eventually leading to plant death if they are not ascertain . They can convey many harmful plant virus . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal growth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep sess down ; use sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested flora ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowed sticky notice , utilize labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable shower of piddle will rinse them off the flora . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may deplete holes in leaves , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and supply ship transplant , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , eliminating concealing place such as folio debris , over - turn gage , and tarps . Groundcover in shady lieu and expectant mulch provide protection from the elements and can be best-loved concealment place . In the leaping , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent welkin ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late natural spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or enough illumination . job are bad where night are cool and solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often sour scandalmongering or brown , coil up , and devolve off . fresh leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often discharge early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant variety and blank space plants properly so they receive passable light and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonize to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions on the button , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf maculation are cause by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and fleck may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can facilitate its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that garner around the base of the plant should be glance over up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be directed at grease level . For fungal leaf spots , expend a advocate fungicide accord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy glitch , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a in effect feeding situation . The grownup female then lose their legs and persist on a spot protected by its strong shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the downhearted sides of leaf . They have piercing mouth parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant run to yellowish foliation and leaf drop . They also grow a sweet heart and soul prognosticate honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting smutty surface fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . boost innate foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of folio . It give on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover up / blackens the leaves and staunch of the plant . The best way to ascertain sooty moulding is to check the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty molding can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hose - last sprayer .
