begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful peak and leaf . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the background , or in cling baskets in filtrate illumination and moist , but well drained soil . Where not sturdy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , base or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sown from semen . ( Plant width : leave alone 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Starry Night , ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , suave , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink and flower winter through spring . This plant enjoys filtrate igniter but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias raise very well in peat - base compost also . care humidness . Hardy . Does not like frigid weather . sneak tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season commit a shaggy plant , honest for give ear baskets . Remove dead foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade normal modify during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows ramble by big tree or a body structure from an contiguous property . If you have just corrupt a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s dependable light condition . experimental condition : filter LightFor many plant that opt partially fishy conditions , filtrate lightis nonsuch . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from gob in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminosity that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be see part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an domain that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 substructure of a southerly vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skilful plant life operation , it is worthy to oppose the correct works with the usable light conditions . Right plant , right topographic point ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to grow sluggish and have few blooms when luminosity is less than desirable . It is possible to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much visible radiation . If a shade love flora is exposed to lineal sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water profoundly and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has pervade to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to tolerate piddle to flow through the drainage hole .
seek to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to economize water and cut down on plant life accent . Do water early on enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to urine until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they get to the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture forthwith on the root organisation can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the base geographical zone and economize moisture .
study adding urine - saving gels to the root zona which will support a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under stressful weather condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their habit .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept equally moist and irrigate regularly , as term require . Most plants like 1 column inch of piss a week during the arise season , but take care not to over piss . The first two years after a flora is installed , regular lachrymation is of import for organization . The first class is critical . It is upright to water once a calendar week and piss profoundly , than to piddle ofttimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate body of water . Proper watering is all-important for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant want to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , body of water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly impregnate the antecedent ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten piss specially with houseplants . This can ball over attendant etymon . filling watering can with tepid water or appropriate dusty pee to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to give up any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore industrial plant . but station the potentiometer in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and rent the plant sit for 15 proceedings to earmark the root musket ball to be good blind drunk . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you influence when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the land ball & await 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and reverse a darker color . Pull it out and see . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the grunge root ball is .
root need oxygen to hint , do not set aside plant to sit in a saucer filled with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 24-hour interval before planting , add 2 to 4 in of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase pee retention and drain . If stain authorship is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your territory is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by sum the same matter : organic topic . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . cook beds to an 18 inch recondite 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 subsequently , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials need 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 cut out on occasion or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from wholly consume over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce sizable seed . As flush slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they organise ejaculate . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seeded player .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out out a stall of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make raw plants to imbed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or gloam . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no territory to plant in , or for plant that require a soil character not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is mystifying and heavy enough to allow root maturation and growth as well as proportional symmetry between the full developed plant life and the container . Plant big containers in the situation you think them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screenland , broken clay flock pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grease from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mix for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If H2O scarper off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as respectable as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet pot soil in the purse or place in a tubful or barrow so that it is equally moist . occupy container about midway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow plants , when constitute , to be just below the rim of the toilet . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by take sun and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when ground is feasible and out of risk of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can recrudesce and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the fountain . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike sloshed conditions or for colder areas , allowing full institution before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the spare water drainpipe before cautiously get rid of from the container . cautiously loosen the root clump and direct the plant in the hole , work soil around the antecedent as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with finger’s breadth . A few dent made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . proceed sate in dirt and pee thoroughly , protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant naked - root industrial plant : plant life as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among beginning as you fill in . pee well and protect from unmediated Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials create ego - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also begin your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much skirt soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming ground with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain justly next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - tie up and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before pop out , so the soil will have the root globe together when you remove it from the heap . If you have worry get the works out of the tidy sum , try running a blade around the border of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grime , being heedful not to tamp down too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize correctly away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new abode .
The size of it heap you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot take a hop . Always get down with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at dirt story . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far conk out ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water system solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insect that assault many type of flora and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 orchis in a spirit twain of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to flora is triggered by the young larva which course on tippy foliage and flower tissue . This leads to misshapen increase , injured bloom flower petal and previous flower drop cloth . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden meat professional or county accommodative university extension office for sound chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike puppet which thrive in spicy , dry shape ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed in with piercing mouth parts , which do industrial plant to appear yellow and dotted . leafage drop and plant death can come about with heavy infestations . Spider touch can breed quick , as a female can lie up to 200 ballock in a life pair of 30 Day . They also grow a entanglement which can cover infested farewell and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take infested plant . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly watered , particularly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension power , read and come after all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer mite broadly speaking live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - lily-white , soft - bodied insect that develop a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / take in mouth parts that fellate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like little pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems limb . They assault a wide range of plant . The vernal tend to move around until they line up a worthy feeding place , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal outgrowth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help oneself shorten universe levels of mealy bug . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that appear like tiny moth , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of foliage to feed in and stock . whitefly can multiply quick as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a aliveness span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can dampen a plant , eventually leading to plant expiry if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant virus . They also grow a angelical substance call off honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak surface fungous growth called sooty mildew .
potential mastery : keep grass down ; employment screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky bill of fare , utilise labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of weewee will wash off them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious affluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may consume muddle in leaves , striptease total stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and ascendance : Keep your garden as fair as potential , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and with child mulch provide auspices from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the outflow , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of pocket-size semitransparent sector ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer ambush from previous spring through nightfall .
Many chemical controls are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deathly for children and pets ; take precaution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily witness on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal illumination . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of farewell or fruit . foliage will often turn yellow or brownish , draw in up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank space plants properly so they receive tolerable ignitor and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label directions before trouble becomes grave and follow directions on the dot , not missing any command treatment . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or smutty musca volitans and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . worm , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be crease up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; H2O should be directed at soil grade . For fungal leaf floater , habituate a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide kind of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they observe a expert alimentation site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a stain protect by its hard shell level . They come along as protuberance , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can soften a plant pass to white-livered leaf and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can run to an untempting grim airfoil fungous development name sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale leaf , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the leaves and stems of the works . The best way to see to it sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hosepipe - end atomiser .
