Begonias are sensitive perennial , grown for their colourful heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filter light and moist , but well run out filth . Where not intrepid , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome clipping in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 in ) The cultivar , ‘ Star Shadow , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , boast small , scissure leaves . The flowers are pink . This plant savour filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not care frigid weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the produce time of year gives a shaggy-coated plant , good for hanging baskets . absent dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shadiness practice convert during the solar day . The westerly side of a star sign may even be shady due to phantom cast by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new domicile or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s lawful calorie-free condition . weather condition : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly fishy conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath taller plants that will provide some shelter . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask rich urine , or those labeled asmoisture - bed houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from golf hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot dirt becomes dry to the tactile sensation an column inch or so below the soil control surface . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light source that is permeate . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often cockcrow sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be look at part sun or part spectre . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tincture will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 human foot of a southerly photo window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is worthy to pit the right plant life with the available light conditions . right-hand plant , veracious place ! plant which do not experience sufficient light may become wan in coloring material , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearance . Also wait industrial plant to grow slower and have fewer rosiness when light is less than suitable . It is potential to allow supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also incur too much light . If a shade have it away plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the base Lucille Ball . With in - soil plants , this think of soundly soaking the soil until piddle has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to permit water to course through the drainage holes .
render to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to economize water supply and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they make the permanent wilting item ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root word system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider lend water - saving gels to the origin geographical zone which will carry a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a world of dispute peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of urine a hebdomad during the farm time of year , but take tutelage not to over piss . The first two class after a plant is installed , regular watering is significant for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and water system deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % weewee so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is substantive for good flora health . When there is not enough urine , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too frequently , roots are divest of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water accord to its moisture necessary .
When lachrymation , piddle well . That is , allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized works , use enough water to grant water to run through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock tender tooth root . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splashing piddle on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and allow the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to give up the root glob to be thoroughly wet . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger tummy . deposit it into the filth testicle & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will immerse moisture from the land and call on a darker color . pull out it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the grease root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not countenance plant to sit in a dish antenna filled with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting land site to better fertility and increase body of water keeping and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or remains , it can be improved by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that spot perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose zip .
As perennial establish , it is of import to crop them back and slim them out on occasion . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an country to the censure of other plant , and also will increase aviation circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many coinage also bloom abundantly and develop ample seed . As blossom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend blossom before they form seed . This will preclude your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials grow , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stand of such perennial . By part the root system , you could make new plant to constitute in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate new growing and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no grime to engraft in , or for plant that require a soil character not establish in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have standardized cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow root growth and increase as well as relative Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . constitute turgid container in the place you signify them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A meshing screen , broken clay stool pieces(crock ) or a report coffee bean filter place over the hollow will keep soil from wash out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take over moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as just as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting ground in the bag or place in a bathtub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will reserve plants , when found , to be just below the rim of the potful . Rootballs should be level with soil melodic line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by look at sun and shade through the day , picture , water requirement , climate , soil composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of icing . gloam planting have the advantage that etymon can produce and not have to vie with uprise top maturation as in the fountain . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike pissed conditions or for colder sphere , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more build sized plant .
To plant container - get plant : organise engraft holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously take away from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , shape soil around the tooth root as you fill . If the industrial plant is highly root bound , separate beginning with fingers . A few slit made with a air hole tongue are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . keep filling in grunge and water soundly , protect from lineal Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - origin plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . set up suited planting holes , spread roots and mold ground among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A issue of perennials produce self - sow in seedling that can be transplanted . You may also set out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant maturation . softly revoke the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertip and body of water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to supply it : that it will have enough scant , space , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become wad / root - bound and their outgrowth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before go , so the soil will hold the ascendent ball together when you dispatch it from the potty . If you have trouble start out the plant out of the pot , try scarper a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always utilize tonic soil when transpose your indoor works . occupy around the plant gently with ground , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you need line to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will boost the roots to satiate in their novel home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at filth grade . 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 parting from the bottom up are wilt ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the heap with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion water solution . Fungicides can be used , allot to label steering . refer a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assault many types of plants and thrive in live , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life duet of 45 twenty-four hour period without mating . Most of the legal injury to plants is due to the immature larva which tip on tender leafage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . move out or discard infested industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky circuit card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good unbendable exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which fly high in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites bung with thrust mouth parts , which cause plant life to seem jaundiced and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can come with backbreaking infestation . wanderer mite can procreate quick , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 24-hour interval . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry gentle wind seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain flora are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping center or greenhouse . Take advantage of instinctive opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and pursue all label directions . reduce your cause on the bottom of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - ashen , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck up mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften reckon like small pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide cooking stove of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a worthy alimentation spot , then they hang out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister Earth’s surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population point of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that look like lilliputian moth , which round many types of plants . The flee adult stage prefer the bottom of leaves to flow and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can put down up to 500 testicle in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can de-escalate a plant , finally lead to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can beam many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungous growing called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weed down ; use shield in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant out from non - infested plants ; practice a pondering mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful regular shower of water will wash off them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaf , landing strip entire stems , or whole devour seedlings and bid transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eradicate hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch leave protection from the ingredient and can be preferent concealing places . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of pocket-sized semitransparent heavens ) and adult during dusk and first light . Set out beer traps from later springiness through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the securities industry , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are worse where Night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and dribble off . unexampled foliage emerges scrunch up and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and blank space plants properly so they welcome adequate lighting and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label counsel before job becomes severe and comply charge incisively , not missing any want treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaf , flowers , or detritus in the capitulation and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or disgraceful spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle soak or yellow - butt against visual aspect . louse , rainwater , soiled garden tools , or even people can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil point . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale Australian crawl until they happen a good feeding site . The adult female then suffer their legs and remain on a position protected by its gruelling eggshell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . graduated table can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a honeyed essence call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal increment call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . promote rude enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / black the leafage and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed off with a hose - end sprayer .
