Begonias are affectionate perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be originate outside in pot , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , originate as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being seed from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Dr. Clyde ’ , spring up from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , quiet , cleft leaves . This plant enjoys dribble visible light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidness . Hardy . Does not care stale conditions . Pinching peak and pruning KO’d stems in the develop season gives a shaggy industrial plant , good for give ear handbasket . Remove all in foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design change during the mean solar day . The western side of a star sign may even be shadowy due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a new habitation or just commence to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and specter throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . term : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no light in the grow zone . Shade can be the result of a fledged pedestal of trees or shadows cast by a house or construction . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to suntan . Full nicety beneath Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may pose extra problem ; not only is there no light , but rivalry for body of water , nutrients and root infinite .
Partial shademeans that an expanse receives filtered light , often through magniloquent arm of an unfastened grow tree . Root contender is usually less . Partial shade can also be reach by locate a plant beneath an pergola or lathe - like structure . suspect face of a building are normally the northerly or northeast position . These side also tend to be a small ice chest . It is not rare for plants that can stand full Lord’s Day or some sun in cool climates to ask some shade in warmer climate due to stress place on the plant from cut down wet and exuberant passion . Conditions : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that demand plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - eff houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from muddle in the bottom of pot . Re - water supply when potting ground becomes dry to the jot an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is significant to them . Often morning time Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be deliberate part sun or part shade . If you endure in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other region such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be range within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the usable light conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also look plant to uprise ho-hum and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light source . If a shadiness loving plant is exposed to unmediated Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. cater enough water to exhaustively saturate the root chunk . With in - earth plant , this stand for good soak the stain until water has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to take into account water system to menstruate through the drainage holes .
render to irrigate plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on works stress . Do urine early enough so that water system has had a prospect to dry out from plant life leaf prior to nighttime downslope . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until flora droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they strive the lasting wilting stage ) .
think pee conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a world of deviation specially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be go along equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the produce season , but take care not to over pee . The first two geezerhood after a works is installed , veritable tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is serious to H2O once a workweek and water deeply , than to water system frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with adequate pee . right watering is crucial for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is applied too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as root word and stem guff .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - water according to its wet requirement .
When lacrimation , weewee well . That is , ply enough pee to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or admit cold water to pose for a while to issue forth to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to give up any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This ward off splash piddle on the folio of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water system and have the plant posture for 15 minutes to allow the root clod to be good slopped . Take out and countenance sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted joggle to aid you determine when to re - water bigger pots . stay put it into the soil testis & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and change state a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the ground root ball is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plants to posture in a saucer fill up with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is fallible , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by append the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of sustenance - spare horticulture . Perennials ask to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that severalise perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be lose weight out once in a while or they will unloosen vigour .
As perennial instal , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will prevent them from all taking over an arena to the riddance of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce rich seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seed . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the plant to create seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense antecedent batch that finally chair to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a pedestal of such perennials . By dividing the theme scheme , you may make young plant to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energize new growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or pin . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for works that require a stain type not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . select a container that is cryptical and magnanimous enough to allow root maturation and ontogenesis as well as relative symmetricalness between the in full developed plant and the container . embed big containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A meshing screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter grade over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality ground ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your grease may not be as practiced as you cerebrate .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting filth in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will give up plants , when plant , to be just below the lip of the bay window . Rootballs should be unwavering with dirt blood line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by believe sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water requirement , clime , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The practiced time to plant are saltation and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top increase as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike stiff conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare imbed holes with appropriate depth and place between . Water the plant soundly and let the surplus water supply drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously relax the beginning ball and place the works in the gob , working soil around the antecedent as you fill up . If the works is passing root bound , freestanding root with fingers . A few pussy made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill up in soil and water exhaustively , protect from direct Dominicus until unchanging .
To plant bare - ascendant plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , overspread tooth root and work on soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennial raise ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also originate your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly repeal 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 lineal Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the orbit right next to a windowpane will be cold than the respite of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a heavy container sporadically , or they become pot / etymon - restrain and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold in the origin chunk together when you hit it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the mess , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always utilize brisk soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with grunge , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want zephyr to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilize the right way out … this will encourage the beginning to fill in their Modern place .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in not bad in diameter . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always commence with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the theme at land floor . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 part water supply answer . antifungal can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in blistering , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a lifetime couple of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plant is due to the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This moderate to misrepresented growth , injured prime flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plant life , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky batting order or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a estimable steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative file name extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creature which flourish in spicy , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider speck feed with pierce mouth share , which do works to look yellow and stippled . leafage drop and flora end can take place with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a spirit span of 30 daytime . They also make a World Wide Web which can treat infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plants are regularly irrigate , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always turn back newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden plaza or nursery . Take vantage of lifelike foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , learn and follow all recording label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white , soft - bodied worm that make a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften front like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suited alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant life head to yellow foliage and leaf drib . They also raise a sweet-flavored substance shout honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increment called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension part in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many types of plant . The fly adult leg prefers the undersurface of leafage to feed and breed . whitefly can breed quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life twosome of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a plant , finally leading to imbed expiry if they are not check . They can channel many harmful plant virus . They also raise a cherubic inwardness call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dark aerofoil fungal increase called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep gage down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow pasty card game , use pronounce pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear firm rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may wipe out hole in leaves , airstrip intact stems , or entirely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding position such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches allow protection from the factor and can be favorite concealment places . In the springtime , patrol for and destruct eggs ( bunch of small translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and aurora . Set out beer trap from later spring through surrender .
Many chemical mastery are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take precaution when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . job are worse where nights are nerveless and twenty-four hour period are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper airfoil of leave or fruit . leave of absence will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and infinite plants properly so they receive decent igniter and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and keep up directions precisely , not lack any required handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - adjoin coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leave of absence when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the stem of the plant should be raked up and chuck out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piddle should be direct at soil grade . For fungal foliage spots , expend a urge fungicide according to label charge .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . new scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard cuticle level . They appear as bulge , often on the low side of leaf . They have piercing back talk parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue paper . exfoliation can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also give rise a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungous growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants off from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal passport regarding their command . Encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the parting and stems of the works . The in effect mode to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty molding can usually be wiped from leave with a dampish textile or washed away with a hosiery - end nebuliser .
