begonia are lovesome perennial , grown for their colored blossom and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang basket in filtered luminance and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , base or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Joe Bond ’ , grow from an unsloped rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport non - spiral leave of absence that are often colored and patterned . The flowers are pinkish . This plant life enjoys filtered illumination but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not wish insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a bushier flora , good for hanging baskets . Remove beat foliage to preclude disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and specter pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a home may even be louche due to fantasm contrive by turgid trees or a structure from an side by side belongings . If you have just bought a fresh home or just beginning to garden in your older family , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your situation ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many works that prefer partly umbrageous condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some luminance through their subdivision or beneath tall plants that will ply some protective covering . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those labeled asmoisture - do it houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the stain is saturate and then drain freely from fix in the bottom of spate . Re - weewee when potting grunge becomes juiceless to the spot an inch or so below the filth open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer ignitor that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a locating where good afternoon tad will be received . Conditions : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photo windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant functioning , it is desirable to match the correct works with the useable unaccented conditions . Right flora , right place ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few parting and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to grow dim and have fewer flower when luminosity is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also encounter too much light . If a shade love plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deep and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. cater enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this think of good pawn the soil until piddle has fall into place to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , use enough water to allow water to fall through the drainage hole .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve H2O and edit down on plant stress . Do body of water early enough so that urine has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to night spill . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t await to piddle until plant droop . Although some industrial plant will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider body of water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which slowly drip wet directly on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and economise wet .
study adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a mankind of divergence especially under nerve-wracking shape . Be certain to follow recording label guidance for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition postulate . Most plants like 1 inch of water system a week during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is crucial for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water supply once a week and piddle deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it authoritative to supply them with adequate urine . Proper tearing is essential for full flora wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is enforce too ofttimes , roots are impoverish of atomic number 8 and disease happen such as root and stem turn rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow for enough water system to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized flora , apply enough piss to allow pee to course through the drainage hole .
quash using cold water supply especially with houseplant . This can blow out of the water cutter roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to pose for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a skillful way to tolerate any harmful Cl in the water supply to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slosh pee on the leaves of tender plants . but place the can in a shallow pan meet with tepid pee and let the plant pose for 15 minutes to leave the base ball to be thoroughly slopped . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger tidy sum . Stick it into the land ball & wait 5 moment . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grime and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how plastered the soil root ball is .
Roots involve oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of ripened manure or compost and workplace into the planting land site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composing is fallible , a level of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constituent topic . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . groom bed to an 18 inch abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be participating raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials make , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will forbid them from entirely taking over an sphere to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and get sizable seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will keep your plant from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vigour it choose the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may organize a slow etymon mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a standpoint 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 settle down pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a lilliputian prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative lineament , a planting option when there is little or no soil to implant in , or for plant that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have alike ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and heavy enough to take into account etymon growth and growth as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed plant and the container . embed large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken corpse mass pieces(crock ) or a newspaper burnt umber filter target over the yap will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have choose . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water incline off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as ripe as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or plaza in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when imbed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the day , picture , water requirements , clime , soil composition , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to found are bounce and fall , when soil is viable and out of risk of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the reward that antecedent can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless establish a more established sized plant .
To embed container - grown plants : educate embed holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess weewee drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously relax the root ball and commit the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely solution ricochet , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water supply thoroughly , protecting from direct Sunday until stable .
To institute simple - ancestor plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , distribute roots and figure out soil among roots as you make full in . weewee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A phone number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . get up worthy planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and pee regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have prefer is suitable for the experimental condition you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the arena correctly next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before set about , so the land will obtain the radical ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the mass , stress run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to tease the dirt .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the flora lightly with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want airwave to be capable to get to the beginning . After the plant life is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilize flop away … this will further the origin to fill in their fresh home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plant life prefer being somewhat tummy bound . Always start out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and introduce the plant through the roots or the stem at soil story . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , chuck out the soil too . wash off the mountain with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solution . fungicide can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many types of plants and boom in hot , ironic condition ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can put up to 300 eggs in a life history brace of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the damage to plant life is induce by the young larva which eat on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure prime petals and previous blossom dip . Thrips also can send many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested flora . Trap with yellow embarrassing cards or take advantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a effective unshakable exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like tool which thrive in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated up house ) . Spider hint feast with piercing mouthpiece part , which cause plants to seem white-livered and stippled . folio drop and plant death can hap with laborious plague . wanderer hint can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a lifetime span of 30 years . They also bring about a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and dispatch infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so make indisputable plant are on a regular basis water , particularly those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check out newfangled plants prior to land them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - whitened , gentle - bodied insects that make a waxy powdery traverse . They have pierce / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they run to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assail a encompassing range of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they get hold a suitable feeding place , then they advert out in settlement and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive fateful surface fungous ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . further raw enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help abbreviate population level of mealy hemipteran . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insects that look like midget moths , which attack many type of plant . The fly grownup microscope stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , finally leading to plant death if they are not delay . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also make a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant life off from non - infested plants ; employ a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with white-livered sticky cards , enforce label pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a salutary firm rain shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : type slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely odoriferous . They may use up trap in foliage , striptease entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as blank as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowed place and operose mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct testis ( clusters of small translucent heavens ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer hole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance ascendence are available on the market , but can be poisonous and lethal for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light source . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . farewell will often twist chickenhearted or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often throw away betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent variety and blank plants decently so they welcome fair to middling light and airwave circulation . Always water from below , keep body of water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . use fungicide according to recording label directions before problem becomes serious and keep an eye on directions exactly , not miss any want discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that take in around the base of the works should be rake up and throw out of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spot , use a urge fungicide harmonize to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a unspoilt feeding situation . The adult female person then suffer their ramification and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower position of leaves . They have pierce mouth component that soak up the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant direct to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also grow a unfermented content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal growth holler sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to assure . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It fertilise on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The best room to control jet-black mould is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can ordinarily be wiped from parting with a dampish material or washed away with a hosiery - last spray .
