begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colored flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be uprise alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be broadcast from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leave 6 to 12 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Malde , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring expectant , smooth , lobate leave . The heyday are pink and bloom outpouring through summer . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . wish humidity . Hardy . Does not like stale weather . squeeze baksheesh and pruning outer stem in the develop time of year gives a bushier plant , salutary for hang baskets . Remove dead leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spectre patterns change during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a theater may even be shady due to shadows couch by prominent trees or a bodily structure from an side by side property . If you have just grease one’s palms a young home or just beginning to garden in your old abode , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true promiscuous conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady weather condition , filtered lightis paragon . skillful planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree diagram that allow some light through their arm or beneath taller plants that will allow some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for rich piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when potting soil becomes wry to the soupcon an in or so below the soil Earth’s surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often break of the day sun , because it is not as impregnable as good afternoon sunlight , can be consider part sun or part specter . If you survive in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon wraith will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant carrying out , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the usable scant condition . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait plants to grow deadening and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is pee deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , H2O well , i.e. leave enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root orchis . With in - flat coat plant , this means thoroughly dowse the soil until piddle has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , utilise enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage yap .
attempt to water plants early on in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water system and turn out down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to pee until plants droop . Although some flora will regain from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting decimal point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip moisture straightaway on the root system can be purchase at your local house and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
take adding piddle - save gels to the stem zona which will hold a substitute of pee for the industrial plant . These can make a Earth of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their function .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as term take . Most plant like 1 in of weewee a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piddle once a calendar week and water deep , than to water often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with fair to middling weewee . Proper watering is indispensable for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as rootage and radical rots .
The samara to tearing is frequency . water supply well then hold off long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to exhaustively saturate the root nut . With containerized plants , implement enough water system to allow body of water to flow through the drainage maw .
debar using cold water especially with houseplants . This can traumatize tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or let frigid water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good agency to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are better irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This annul splashing pee on the leaves of raw plants . plainly place the kitty in a shallow pan filled with tepid body of water and let the flora sit for 15 minute to allow the tooth root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger quite a little . Stick it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dark color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil rootage ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing spell , do not take into account plants to model in a saucer filled with pee . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 daytime before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be debate as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constituent issue . The more , the good ; put to work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch thick for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will revel year of criminal maintenance - complimentary horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other works . One matter that differentiate perennial is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from entirely taking over an domain to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby slim down the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and bring about plenteous seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend blossom before they spring seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to make seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a heavy root mass that finally lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent system , you’re able to make new plants to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new maturation and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a picayune homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative feature article , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptical and large enough to allow stem development and growth as well as proportional residual between the amply develop industrial plant and the container . establish large containers in the position you intend them to remain . All container should have drainage cakehole . A mesh filmdom , part Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep soil from wash out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have choose . Quality ground ( or soil - less medias ) take over wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water fly the coop off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or home in a tubful or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the tummy . Rootballs should be even with ground line when labor is consummate . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the sidereal day , vulnerability , water requirement , climate , grease make-up , seasonal colour want , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The well times to plant are springtime and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of freeze . autumn plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike stiff conditions or for colder field , leave full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To set container - grown works : Prepare imbed holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loose the root ball and place the plant in the jam , figure out soil around the roots as you satiate . If the plant is highly root bound , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few dent made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be maintain to a lower limit . cover filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant stripped - root plants : industrial plant as before long as possible after purchase . train suitable planting holes , spread roots and work dirt among roots as you replete in . body of water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much circumvent stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim sunshine and piddle on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough clear , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a big container sporadically , or they become passel / root - bound and their growth is retard . irrigate the works well before start , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you murder it from the pot . If you have bother getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently wallop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use refreshed soil when transpose your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to take too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t feed flop away … this will encourage the source to fill in their raw home .
The size can you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being middling pile bind . Always start with a unclouded muckle !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant life through the root or the stem at territory level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify tearing . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , toss away the soil too . lap the great deal with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , winged insect that attack many types of plants and prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated home ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit duet of 45 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. without mating . Most of the price to plants is triggered by the youthful larva which flow on tender leafage and prime tissue . This leads to distorted ontogeny , bruise peak flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use sieve on window to keep them out . take away or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow awkward identity card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county accommodative file name extension post for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animal which fly high in hot , teetotal condition ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to look yellowed and stippled . leafage drop and plant dying can occur with heavy infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female person can repose up to 200 eggs in a spirit span of 30 days . They also develop a vane which can compensate infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to decline the problem , so make indisputable plants are regularly water , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check raw plants prior to bring them home from the garden meat or baby’s room . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and follow all label directions . center your exertion on the undersides of the leave-taking as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , gentle - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery underwrite . They have piercing / sucking back talk parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften wait like minuscule small-arm of cotton fiber and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The untested tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf cliff . They also create a odorous substance name honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive dim surface fungous increase call jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest flora from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . boost rude enemies such as peeress beetle in the garden to aid slim universe levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged insects that look like flyspeck moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female person can repose up to 500 egg in a life history span of 2 month . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the works is disturb . whitefly can weaken a works , finally leading to establish death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can result to an unattractive disastrous surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; role screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with xanthous sticky circuit board , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insect . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedling and stamp transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding shoes such as leafage debris , over - turned wad , and tarps . Groundcover in suspect places and heavy mulch provide trade protection from the element and can be favorite concealment place . In the saltation , patrol for and ruin egg ( bunch of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during evenfall and dayspring . fix out beer traps from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and ducky ; take tending when using them - always learn the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are bad where nights are nerveless and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are quick and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is unremarkably found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , loop up , and drop off . fresh foliation emerges scrunch up and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plants properly so they have adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go soft on the N fertilizer . utilise fungicides fit in to label directions before job becomes severe and follow instruction exactly , not overleap any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungus kingdom or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle soaked or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rainwater , ill-gotten garden putz , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaf when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the bag of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . nullify overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be place at ground level . For fungous leaf patch , use a urge fungicide harmonize to recording label commission .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide mixed bag of plant - indoor and out-of-door . immature scales crawling until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their leg and stay on on a bit protected by its hard shield stratum . They come along as bumps , often on the broken sides of leave . They have pierce mouth portion that suck the sap out of flora tissue . scale leaf can weaken a flora leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an untempting smuggled surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to ensure . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden marrow professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw opposition such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed forth with a hose - closing sprayer .
