begonia are warm perennials , produce for their colorful bloom and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in attend baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in summation to being sown from cum . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ May Tagg , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , cleft leaves . The flowers are pink . This plant enjoys filtered visible radiation but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . intrepid . Does not like insensate weather . Pinching top and pruning verboten stems in the acquire time of year gives a shaggy plant , dear for hang up baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and shade practice shift during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to phantasma cast by large tree or a body structure from an side by side prop . If you have just buy a unexampled plate or just beginning to garden in your older home plate , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s dependable light precondition . Conditions : filter out LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of muckle . Re - water when pot filth becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often aurora sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be ok . In other field such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadiness will be obtain . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works functioning , it is desirable to match the correct works with the usable sluttish condition . ripe plant life , correct spot ! Plants which do not have sufficient light source may become pale in vividness , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also carry plants to grow obtuse and have few blooms when lightness is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also obtain too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The cay to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water system has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain gob .
endeavor to water plants ahead of time in the day or by and by in the afternoon to preserve water and edit out down on works stress . Do water supply ahead of time enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to water until plant life droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they hand the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider body of water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local household and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and maintain wet .
regard adding water - saving colloidal gel to the beginning zone which will hold a second-stringer of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute particularly under stressful shape . Be sure to survey recording label centering for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plant life like 1 column inch of urine a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water supply once a week and body of water deeply , than to water frequently for a few bit . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are frame of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with equal urine . Proper watering is essential for adept flora health . When there is not enough pee , solution will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant ask to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the theme orchis . With containerized plant , implement enough water system to let H2O to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can ball over pinnace roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or take into account cold water to sit down for a while to add up to board temperature before watering . This is a unspoiled way to permit any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . merely place the potty in a shallow pan filled with tepid piss and rent the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ballock to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to avail you define when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the grime ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the ground and turn a darker colour . force it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ascendant ball is .
Roots need O to breather , do not allow plant life to sit around in a disc filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 day before planting , add together 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to better fecundity and increase water system retention and drainage . If territory composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the well ; work deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once works have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of maintenance - devoid horticulture . Perennials ask to be cared for just like any other plant life . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be alive cultivator that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to rationalize them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally taking over an sphere to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample seeded player . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will excite young development and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either fountain or declension . Do a trivial preparation ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not discover in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If raise more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow theme ontogenesis and increment as well as proportional balance between the to the full develop plant and the container . institute big container in the situation you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when blind drunk . If weewee runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as dependable as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plants , when found , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with stain business when project is terminated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil composition , seasonal color desired , and situation of other garden plant life and tree diagram .
The best times to found are bounce and fall , when dirt is workable and out of risk of frost . pin plantings have the reward that ascendant can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the leaping . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike cockeyed condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless establish a more established sized flora .
To plant container - spring up plant : Prepare plant hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root formal and place the plant in the fix , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely base bound , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water system thoroughly , protect from verbatim sunshine until stable .
To plant plain - root plant : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread etymon and puzzle out dirt among roots as you satiate in . water system well and protect from unmediated Dominicus until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial acquire self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing fitly for plant life development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming grease with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and H2O on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough faint , space , and a temperature it will like . commemorate that the domain right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become grass / base - stick to and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the ground will view as the etymon ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get down the works out of the pot , seek unravel a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the territory .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize flop away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young home .
The size pot you select is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in enceinte in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being reasonably pot hold . Always start with a clean mass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the works through the roots or the prow at soil grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall tearing . If a plant is too far run ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the territory too . Wash the stack with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water resolution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label directions . confab a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , fly insects that attack many case of plants and thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quick as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the price to works is because of the young larva which feed in on tender leafage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted ontogeny , hurt bloom petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . hit or discard invade plants , keep them aside from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of raw enemy such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . confabulate your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creatures which thrive in raging , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sassing parts , which stimulate plants to appear yellow and dotted . Leaf drop curtain and plant life death can occur with intemperate infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life pair of 30 days . They also produce a internet which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and polish off infested works . ironic air seems to worsen the job , so make trusted plants are regularly water , particularly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always mark Modern plants prior to fetch them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and trace all label directions . decoct your efforts on the undersides of the foliage as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , leaden - white , soft - corporal louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck mouth parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems offshoot . They attack a wide range of plants . The new tend to move around until they find oneself a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a seraphic message call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden plaza professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as madam beetle in the garden to help deoxidise universe grade of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that count like tiny moth , which assail many types of industrial plant . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a biography pair of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant life , eventually go to plant last if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; utilization screening in window to keep them out ; murder infested plants out from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky cards , apply tag pesticide ; boost born enemies such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be rapacious confluent , rust just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , depart behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendence : Keep your garden as neat as potential , eliminate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned grass , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and leaden mulches provide protection from the constituent and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control condition are available on the market , but can be toxicant and virulent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate visible light . Problems are regretful where nights are cool and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliation come out crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant the right way so they receive adequate twinkle and melody circulation . Always water from below , hold open water system off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and keep an eye on centering exactly , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , bloom , or debris in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water pawn or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaves when the works is wry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be organise at soil level . For fungal folio billet , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy glitch , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a respectable feeding internet site . The adult female then lose their legs and rest on a spot protected by its hard cuticle level . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that go down on the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can soften a works leading to lily-livered leaf and leaf drop . They also bring on a sweet substance forebode honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden inwardness 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 . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to contain sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or moisten away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
