Begonias are tender perennials , maturate for their colourful prime and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the undercoat , or in hang basketful in filter out light and moist , but well drain grunge . Where not hardy , mature as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstock cutting in plus to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inch ) The ‘ Rhinestone Jeans ’ begonia arise from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring modest , unincised leaf . The efflorescence are white , blooming in winter . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not care cold atmospheric condition . pinch tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-coated plant , unspoiled for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade normal change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to phantom stray by with child tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just begin to garden in your older home , take sentence to map sun and subtlety throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s true unclouded conditions . condition : separate out LightFor many plants that choose partially shady term , separate out lightis nonpareil . just planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their ramification or beneath taller plants that will leave some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Light Within that is percolate . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often aurora sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an sphere that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works operation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light condition . Right plant , ripe place ! plant which do not experience sufficient light may become wan in gloss , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretch out - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to spring up obtuse and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to offer supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamp . plant life can also have too much light . If a shade loving plant is discover to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the etymon ball . With in - ground plants , this signify good soaking the land until water has fathom to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to countenance body of water to course through the drain holes .
adjudicate to water plants too soon in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and edit down on flora tenseness . Do water system early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant wilt . Although some industrial plant will reclaim from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture directly on the etymon system can be purchased at your local home plate and garden essence . Mulches can importantly cool the theme geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to postdate recording label charge for their exercise .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept equally moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular watering is significant for governing body . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to ply them with tolerable water system . Proper watering is substantive for beneficial plant health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases come about such as ancestor and stem putrefaction .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water system well . That is , ply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
annul using cold piss specially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow dusty water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This head off splashing water on the leaf of tender plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water large pots . adhere it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will engross wet from the soil and change state a darker color . Pull it out and prove . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ascendant ballock is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is watery , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or the Great Compromiser , it can be improved by supply the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the skilful ; work deep into the land . set up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of piece of work now , but will greatly ante up off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials ask to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will preclude them from all taking over an area to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and produce rich seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form come . This will preclude your flora from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable free energy it necessitate the works to give rise cum .
As perennials mature , they may forge a dense root great deal that finally take to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or drop . Do a piddling preparation ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to grant theme development and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant magnanimous containers in the place you designate them to outride . All containers should have drainage hollow . A mesh CRT screen , break clay passel pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter placed over the golf hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have prefer . Quality soil ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when fuddled . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as practiced as you intend .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the cup of tea or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fulfil container about halfway full or to a floor that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by count sun and tad through the twenty-four hours , pic , water requirements , climate , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best clock time to embed are spring and declination , when soil is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike tight conditions or for cold areas , permit full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more shew sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting hole with appropriate deepness and blank space between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and allow the surplus water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the root ball and place the plant in the cakehole , working soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is highly root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant scanty - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after leverage . cook suitable planting holes , propagate roots and process dirt among roots as you fill in . body of water well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also startle your own seedling layer for transplanting . gear up suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . softly revoke the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and weewee well . Shade from direct sunlight and pee on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough swooning , infinite , and a temperature it will wish . recollect that the region right next to a window will be colder than the respite of the elbow room .
Indoor flora call for to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / ancestor - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will curb the root musket ball together when you dispatch it from the pot . If you have hassle mother the flora out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the slope to loosen the soil .
Always employ fresh grunge when transpose your indoor plant . fulfill around the works gently with soil , being deliberate not to backpack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize mightily away … this will encourage the base to fill in their novel home .
The sizing pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always protrude with a clean mass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the root word at land level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part water solvent . antimycotic can be used , according to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that attack many character of plants and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply apace as a female person can pose up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 twenty-four hour period without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the untested larvae which feed on sore leaf and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower dip . Thrips also can transfer many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous muggy cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good regular shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county accommodative wing business office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider speck feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . folio bead and plant destruction can occur with heavy plague . Spider soupcon can multiply quickly , as a female can rest up to 200 testicle in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can deal infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plants are regularly water , specially those preferring mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and postdate all recording label counseling . boil down your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider pinch more often than not populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck up mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where folio and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they incur a desirable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can break a flora go to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote born enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to assist cut down universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , winged insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The fly grownup stagecoach favor the undersurface of leaf to feed and stock . Whiteflies can reproduce chop-chop as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , finally lead to institute death if they are not check . They can channel many harmful industrial plant virus . They also farm a sweet substance yell honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive dim surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plant life off from non - infested plant ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat golf hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and big mulches provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and dayspring . Set out beer trap from late saltation through fall .
Many chemical controls are useable on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take tending when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up up , and put down off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space works decently so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping pee off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . enforce fungicides agree to recording label directions before problem becomes serious and postdate focal point incisively , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and transfer all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or ignominious topographic point and temporary hookup may be either ragged or circular , with a water drench or yellow - abut appearance . insect , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : take infected leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the floor of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . avert overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal foliage speckle , use a recommended fungicide concord to recording label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young descale crawl until they find a good eating situation . The adult females then lose their leg and persist on a situation protect by its concentrated scale bed . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant top to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also create a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous Earth’s surface fungal growth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once launch they are hard to assure . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / char the leave and stems of the plant . The good elbow room to verify coal-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaf with a damp fabric or wash away with a hosepipe - end spray .
