Begonias are tender perennials , acquire for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the earth , or in hanging basketful in separate out lightness and moist , but well drain stain . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow in from seed . The cultivar , ‘ small Bandit , ’ grows from an unsloped rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . top wind and pruning KO’d stems in the growing season gives a shaggy-haired industrial plant , good for flow baskets . murder utter foliation to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : flick here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and nuance patterns change during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a business firm may even be shadowed due to shadow cast by heavy trees or a complex body part from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new household or just beginning to garden in your older family , take prison term to map out sun and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s straight light-colored conditions . Conditions : permeate 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 Inner Light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some tribute . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturate and then drains freely from muddle in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot filth becomes teetotal to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor igniter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morn sun , because it is not as substantial as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 infantry of an easterly or western photo window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern picture window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works functioning , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available light conditions . ripe plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient brightness may become pale in colour , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also carry plants to develop slower and have fewer blossom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to put up supplemental ignition for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also welcome too much Light Within . If a shade know works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deep and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. put up enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this intend soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to permit water supply to course through the drainage hole .
seek to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora tension . Do water early on enough so that H2O has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
debate water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip wet directly on the stem system can be purchase at your local home and garden center of attention . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
weigh adding water - saving gel to the beginning zona which will carry a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the rise season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a flora is set up , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a hebdomad and water deep , than to water system ofttimes for a few minute of arc . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to cater them with passable water . right watering is crucial for just works wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , root are impoverish of oxygen and diseases take place such as root and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its wet prerequisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to admit water to course through the drain holes .
Avoid using frigid water peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come in to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a unspoilt path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This stave off splashing water on the folio of sensitive works . Simply station the pot in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the works posture for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to facilitate you determine when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and plough a darker colouring . Pull it out and try . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt root ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breather , do not take into account plants to sit in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve natality and increase water retention and drainage . If grease composition is debile , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive affair . The more , the good ; turn deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials call for to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely assume over an area to the ejection of other flora , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby shrink the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and give rise ample seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they forge seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take on the plant to produce seeded player .
As perennial maturate , they may form a dense root mountain that eventually guide to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the theme organization , you could make new industrial plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a piffling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting option when there is short or no soil to implant in , or for plant that demand a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to give up root development and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you think them to stay . All containers should have drainage trap . A mesh blind , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from launder out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) immerse wet readily and equally when pissed . If H2O runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as right as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting grease in the grip or spot in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a layer that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with dirt line when project is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by deal sun and shade through the 24-hour interval , exposure , H2O requirements , clime , grease makeup , seasonal color trust , and billet of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and autumn , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . crepuscule plantings have the vantage that roots can modernise and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pixilated weather condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most works , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting cakehole with appropriate depth and blank space between . Water the plant exhaustively and let the supererogatory water waste pipe before carefully hit from the container . Carefully undo the root Lucille Ball and place the plant life in the hole , working grime around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are ok , but should be observe to a minimum . Continue filling in grime and water good , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To implant unornamented - source flora : industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase . set up suitable planting holes , spread ancestor and work grunge among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To institute seedling : A bit of perennial raise ego - sow in seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . machinate suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently overturn the seedling and as much circumvent soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , tauten soil with fingertips and water system well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have choose is suitable for the precondition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . call back that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants take to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become gage / root - rebound and their ontogeny is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root chunk together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the gage , assay run a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the territory .
Always use fresh stain when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be capable to get to the root . After the plant is in the raw raft , do n’t fertilize correctly aside … this will boost the antecedent to fulfil in their new home .
The size of it slew you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . call back , many plant prefer being pretty pot tie . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get in the plant through the solution or the bow at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 percentage urine answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . confab a professional for a effectual passport of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that attack many types of flora and expand in red-hot , dry condition ( like het houses ) . They can procreate chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a living dyad of 45 twenty-four hours without union . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and flush tissue . This leads to twisted growth , wound flower petals and previous heyday drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous poster or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good regular shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same fauna which fly high in red-hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider jot feed with piercing lip component part , which cause plants to seem yellow and speckled . leafage drop curtain and works death can hap with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply speedily , as a female can lay up to 200 ballock in a biography span of 30 days . They also farm a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and bump off infested plant life . ironical air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always learn fresh works prior to bestow them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider speck generally subsist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - white , soft - bodied insect that bring out a waxy powdery encompass . They have piercing / suck up mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften await like little pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems offshoot . They attack a wide reach of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable alimentation spot , then they hang up out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed heart and soul call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun works from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost rude enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help concentrate universe level of mealy bug . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like flyspeck moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup leg prefers the underside of farewell to fertilise and breed . whitefly can breed quickly as a female can place up to 500 eggs in a life dyad of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can step down a plant life , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant computer virus . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dark Earth’s surface fungous growth called sooty modeling .
Possible command : keep locoweed down ; habit screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with white-livered sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; advance instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , rust just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may feed holes in leaves , airstrip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , unworthy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding place such as foliage debris , over - turned mickle , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspect places and expectant mulch provide protection from the chemical element and can be favourite concealment position . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( cluster of minuscule semitransparent spheres ) and adults during crepuscule and morning . Set out beer trap from late bound through fall .
Many chemical controls are useable on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and virulent 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 strain circulation or decent twinkle . trouble are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often move around yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerge crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarf and often send packing betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent potpourri and outer space plants properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water system off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen plant food . use fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes austere and follow commission exactly , not miss any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are do by fungi or bacteria . browned or smuggled spots and plot of land may be either ragged or orbitual , with a weewee fleece or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is wry . leave that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at territory degree . For fungal foliage spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide diverseness of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales Australian crawl until they obtain a good feeding site . The adult female person then suffer their leg and continue on a smirch protected by its hard shell layer . They look as excrescence , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are punishing to control . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden core professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . advance raw foeman such as parasitic WASP in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty modeling is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best way to control pitchy moulding is to keep in line the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from folio with a moist textile or washed aside with a hosiery - end sprayer .
