Begonias are sensitive perennials , grown for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonias can be produce outdoors in skunk , in the basis , or in advert hoop in filtered light source and moist , but well drain territory . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , root word or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being seed from semen . The cultivar , ‘ Warlock , ’ get from an unsloped rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , feature whorled leaves that are often colour and patterned . This plant enjoys strain light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not care frigid weather condition . lift tips and pruning outer stanch in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basket . Remove bushed leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadowiness patterns change during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be umbrageous due to shadows cast by big trees or a bodily structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a young house or just start out to garden in your sr. home , take time to map sunlight and tad throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more exact smell for your site ’s true light conditions . experimental condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting site are under a mid to big sized tree that allow some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that expect rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - sleep together houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of raft . Re - water when pot grease becomes teetotal to the touch an column inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be view part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a positioning where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern photo window . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works operation , it is desirable to equal the correct plant with the available light conditions . ripe plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also expect plants to originate slower and have few salad days when light is less than desirable . It is possible to cater supplemental ignition for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. furnish enough body of water to good saturate the beginning ball . With in - terra firma plants , this imply good hit it up the ground until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to countenance water to flow through the drainage yap .
endeavor to water plants ahead of time in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and rationalize down on works stress . Do piddle too soon enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to night free fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants droop . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plants will give-up the ghost if they droop too much ( when they get hold of the permanent wilting level ) .
Consider body of water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local menage and garden center of attention . mulch can significantly cool the rootage zone and conserve wet .
view adding water - saving gels to the root word geographical zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label way for their use .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few arcminute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is indispensable for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too oftentimes , etymon are deprived of O and diseases occur such as antecedent and stem turn rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . weewee well then expect long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , ply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , put on enough urine to permit water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold piss especially with houseplant . This can traumatize tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to earmark any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are easily irrigated by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splosh body of water on the leafage of tender plants . Simply come out the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the industrial plant sit for 15 hour to allow the tooth root ball to be thoroughly lactating . Take out and give up sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you learn when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil bollock & hold back 5 arcminute . The dowel will take up moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil root testicle is .
origin need oxygen to breathing place , do not let plant to sit in a saucer replete with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is infirm , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your grease is guts or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the well ; work out deep into the grunge . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later on . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , 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 sustenance - free gardening . Perennials ask to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that recognize perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennials instal , it is important to lop them back and dilute them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely demand over an orbit to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many metal money also blossom profusely and produce rich seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to get rid of spent flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce come .
As perennials get on , they may forge a slow base good deal that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a rack of such perennials . By part the root system of rules , you could make new plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no grime to institute in , or for plants that need a soil type not base in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptical and heavy enough to admit solution development and increase as well as proportional equilibrium between the fully developed works and the container . institute large container in the place you mean them to last out . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh silver screen , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter post over the muddle will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when pie-eyed . If piddle runs off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as estimable as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the handbag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with grease line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the Clarence Day , photograph , water requirements , mood , land make-up , seasonal color desire , and place of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of hoar . downslope plantings have the advantage that source can rise and not have to compete with recrudesce top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder arena , grant full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To institute container - grown plants : get up institute holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant exhaustively and let the excess water drain before carefully take from the container . Carefully tease the root chunk and place the plant in the hollow , working soil around the roots as you meet . If the flora is exceedingly source bound , disjoined root with digit . A few prick made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fill up in soil and water soundly , protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant bare - etymon plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you occupy in . Water well and protect from lineal sunlight until static .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also pop your own seedling bed for transplanting . set suited planting golf hole , space appropriately for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firming grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right on next to a window will be colder than the balance of the room .
Indoor plants ask to be transplanted into a expectant container sporadically , or they become commode / root - bind and their growth is slow down . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the antecedent clump together when you move out it from the pot . If you have trouble dumbfound the plant out of the pot , try running a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use tonic soil when transfer your indoor plant . occupy around the flora lightly with territory , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the solution . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the root to meet in their new home .
The size mickle you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat Mary Jane bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and move into the works through the roots or the stem at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the filth too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that set on many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the scathe to works is stimulate by the young larva which feed in on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted ontogeny , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with scandalmongering sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of piss will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension federal agency for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like het up family ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant life to appear xanthous and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life story span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested farewell and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and move out infested plants . Dry air seems to decline the problem , so ensure industrial plant are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and pursue all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - white , mild - bodied insects that give rise a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking oral cavity role that go down on the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small bit of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch offshoot . They round a wide stove of plants . The unseasoned be given to move around until they find a suitable eating dapple , then they pay heed out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can step down a plant lead to yellow foliation and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet meat call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as dame mallet in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare diminished , winged insects that look like diminutive moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying adult leg prefers the underside of leave to run and breed . whitefly can manifold speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a animation span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring out a gratifying sum call honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; transfer infested flora away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with lily-livered sticky cards , use label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaves , comic strip total stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , allow behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding spot such as leaf debris , over - turned Mary Jane , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing blank space . In the leaping , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and cockcrow . Set out beer trap from later spring through fall .
Many chemical substance command are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always show the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worsened where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh leafage emerge crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop off early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant miscellanea and space works right so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keep urine off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label guidance before problem becomes severe and watch directions precisely , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf smirch are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or opprobrious spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soak or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tool , or even mass can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the infrastructure of the industrial plant should be raked up and toss out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at stain story . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , have-to doe with to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a full variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then recede their legs and remain on a smear protect by its laborious casing layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower slope of leaves . They have piercing sassing parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a flora run to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a angelic substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can run to an untempting pitch-black surface fungous growing call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / black the leaves and stems of the plant . The sound room to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash out away with a hosiery - end spray .
