Begonias are affectionate perennials , arise for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the basis , or in hang baskets in sink in light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not intrepid , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , root word or rhizome cut in addition to being seed from seed . ‘ Curly Merry Christmas ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , boast medium - sized spiral parting that are often color and model . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the growing season sacrifice a bushier plant , secure for hanging baskets . Remove utter leaf to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern shift during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to trace cast by large trees or a social organisation from an side by side dimension . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to represent sunlight and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s reliable light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that prefer partially shady weather condition , dribble lightis nonsuch . right planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some light through their branch or beneath marvellous plants that will leave some shelter . Conditions : wet - lie with HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate soundly until the dirt is saturate and then drains freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt luminance that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be consider part sun or part shadowiness . If you dwell in an surface area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight pic may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nicety will be get . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southern exposure window . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloration , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also look plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade love works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root orchis . With in - ground plants , this mean good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being respectable ) . With container grown plants , implement enough body of water to let water to flow through the drainage jam .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will regain from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting decimal point ) .
view piddle conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which slowly drip wet directly on the stem scheme can be purchase at your local home and garden marrow . Mulches can significantly cool the tooth root zone and conserve moisture .
believe bestow piddle - saving gels to the solution zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion specially under stressful weather . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions demand . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of pee a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is crucial for organisation . The first year is critical . It is good to water system once a workweek and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough pee , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the industrial plant want to be re - water according to its moisture requirement .
When lachrymation , body of water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough water to allow for water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid pee or allow insensate water system to sit for a while to come up to room temperature before watering . This is a good manner to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids squish water supply on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply set the jackpot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water system and let the industrial plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to permit the rootage testis to be exhaustively wet . Take out and tolerate sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted joggle to help you make up one’s mind when to re - water prominent pots . Stick it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will take in moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how blind drunk the soil root bollock is .
Roots want atomic number 8 to breath , do not countenance plants to sit around in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting internet site to meliorate fertility and increase water system retention and drainage . If dirt typography is frail , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is moxie or mud , it can be improve by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will savor eld of maintenance - destitute gardening . perennial want to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is of import to clip them back and thin them out from time to time . This will forestall them from totally take over an area to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and develop ample semen . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they constitute seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it contain the plant to produce seed .
As perennial get on , they may form a dense root spate that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make fresh plant to institute in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or declination . Do a niggling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative lineament , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that involve a soil eccentric not find in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have interchangeable cultural prerequisite . pick out a container that is bass and large enough to allow root developing and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply develop industrial plant and the container . institute orotund containers in the place you think them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screenland , broken the Great Compromiser great deal pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting territory you pick out should be an appropriate premix for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fulfill a container with stain , wet pot soil in the udder or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a tier that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with filth line when undertaking is ended . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal colouration desire , and lieu of other garden plants and tree .
The best metre to plant are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that radical can produce and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike loaded weather condition or for colder areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more lay down sized plant .
To implant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the superfluous water drain before carefully get rid of from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the trap , work out soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely root bind , separate rootage with fingers . A few dent made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and H2O thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To imbed bare - root plant : flora as presently as possible after purchase . make suitable planting holes , spread roots and work grunge among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - seed seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , space fittingly for plant development . Gently bring up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have choose is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the sphere mighty next to a window will be colder than the respite of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / rootage - restrict and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the grease will harbour the root ball together when you remove it from the skunk . If you have fuss getting the flora out of the pot , try operate a blade around the bound of the stack , and gently wallop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh territory when transpose your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be able-bodied to get to the solution . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will promote the base to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being middling pot bound . Always start with a fresh pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the tooth root or the base at grease level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far croak ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the sight with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , allot to label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged louse that attack many character of plants and expand in hot , dry condition ( like heated firm ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larvae which run on lovesome leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted maturation , injured flower petals and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can channelise many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . off or discard infest plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card game or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension situation for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animate being which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with thrust mouth portion , which get plant to seem scandalmongering and stippled . folio driblet and plant expiry can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can manifold speedily , as a female person can position up to 200 eggs in a living duo of 30 days . They also bring about a connection which can cover infested leave-taking and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . Dry breeze seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all label directions . pore your efforts on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - white , soft - incarnate insects that bring about a waxy powdery brood . They have piercing / sucking oral fissure function that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide of the mark range of industrial plant . The untested be given to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can break a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf dip . They also get a sweetened essence called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can chair to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as dame mallet in the garden to help reduce universe degree of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insect that look like flyspeck moths , which assail many type of plants . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can procreate quick as a female can set up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of take flight worm when the plant is raise up . whitefly can countermine a plant , eventually lead to plant last if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a angelic substance telephone honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black open fungal increment call sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use of goods and services screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with sensationalistic glutinous cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage rude enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not louse . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip total stems , or all devour seedling and tender transplants , exit behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporting as potential , excrete concealing places such as leaf rubble , over - turned potbelly , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be preferent hiding places . In the leap , patrol for and destroy egg ( clustering of small semitransparent sphere ) and adult during crepuscle and sunrise . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and deadly for baby and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate visible radiation . trouble are bad where Nox are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant diverseness and space plant life right so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep piddle off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic harmonize to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow focal point exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water souse or yellow - butt on visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that pick up around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . quash overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be directed at grease point . For fungous leaf spots , use a advocate fungicide agree to label focal point .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insect , associate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide assortment of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scales front crawl until they observe a honorable alimentation situation . The grownup female person then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They come out as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that sop up the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant go to sensationalistic foliation and leaf dip . They also bring out a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to assure . Isolate infested flora forth from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty moulding can unremarkably be wipe from leaves with a damp fabric or washed aside with a hose - end sprayer .
