begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the primer coat , or in hanging basketful in filtered light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be circulate from folio , stem or rootstock cutting in addition to being inseminate from germ . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Northern Lights ’ ( Rex ) begonia mature from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , feature medium - sized non - helical leaves that are often colored and pattern . This works enjoy permeate brightness level but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . audacious . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer staunch in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant , practiced for hanging basket . get rid of dead foliage to keep disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a menage may even be fly-by-night due to shadower redact by big tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel nursing home or just get to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your land site ’s dependable light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . beneficial planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some Christ Within through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will leave some auspices . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the land is saturated and then drain freely from cakehole in the bottom of gage . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora carrying into action , it is desirable to equal the correct plant with the uncommitted light-headed status . Right plant , right shoes ! plant which do not receive sufficient brightness level may become sick in colouring material , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearing . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer prime when light source is less than desirable . It is potential to allow auxiliary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a subtlety loving plant life is queer to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , piddle well , i.e. allow enough water to thoroughly saturate the antecedent nut . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water to allow piss to course through the drain holes .
seek to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do piss ahead of time enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plant wilt . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plant will cash in one’s chips if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water system preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool off the root zone and conserve moisture .
regard sum piss - save gels to the root zone which will carry a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a domain of difference especially under stressful condition . Be sure to take after label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be maintain evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take concern not to over water supply . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated lachrymation is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is honorable to H2O once a week and H2O deep , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . precondition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right lacrimation is substantive for unspoilt plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then hold back long enough until the works need to be re - water concord to its wet demand .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to exhaustively impregnate the root lump . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold body of water peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold pee to sit down for a while to get to room temperature before watering . This is a adept way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensible plant . Simply localize the pot in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the ascendant ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . stupefy it into the soil chunk & look 5 minute . The dowel will soak up moisture from the soil and turn a sullen gloss . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the stain solution ball is .
Roots call for oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a disk fill with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting land site to amend fertility and increase weewee retention and drainage . If soil composing is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or Henry Clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the good ; exploit deep into the land . train bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of sustainment - barren gardening . Perennials require to be give care for just like any other plant . One thing that severalise perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom extravagantly and produce plenteous seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take out expend flowers before they organise come . This will prevent your works from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it strike the works to produce ejaculate .
As perennials mature , they may organize a dense radical mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a standstill of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate unexampled growing and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or pin . Do a trivial preparation ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting selection when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for plants that ask a land type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar cultural necessary . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow stem development and increase as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant big containers in the topographic point you think them to stay . All containers should have drain muddle . A mesh screen , broken corpse potty pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the golf hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture pronto and equally when wet . If water supply runs off ground upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you mean .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will permit plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil transmission line when project is terminated . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , picture , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal vividness desired , and posture of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and gloam , when grime is workable and out of danger of hoar . gloaming plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top outgrowth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet experimental condition or for cold areas , allow full constitution before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more lay down sized works .
To constitute container - grown works : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the redundant water drain before carefully remove from the container . cautiously untie the origin ball and place the plant in the muddle , work on soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly antecedent bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be maintain to a minimum . keep on sate in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . cook suitable planting holes , spread roots and do work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A issue of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life development . Gently airlift the seedling and as much surrounding grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the industrial plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss perplex the plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to tease apart the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . fill up around the plant gently with land , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the root word . After the plant is in the young mess , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the radical to fill in their new home .
The size weed you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being slightly pot hold fast . Always initiate with a sporty pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the stem at soil stage . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilt ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , toss away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part water root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that attack many character of plant and boom in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . 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 scathe to plants is because of the untested larva which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue . This leads to distorted outgrowth , wound flower petals and previous peak drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the works . look up your local garden marrow professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider soupcon feed with pierce mouth role , which do plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with impenetrable infestation . wanderer mites can breed quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a liveliness yoke of 30 days . They also produce a World Wide Web which can embrace infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always control new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , read and follow all recording label directions . focus your effort on the undersides of the parting as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - clean , soft - bodied insect that make a waxy powdery cross . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften face like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and staunch ramification . They assail a wide stove of plants . The untested lean to move around until they see a suitable feeding post , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can sabotage a flora lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also get a mellisonant essence address honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an untempting calamitous surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage instinctive foeman such as madam beetles in the garden to help thin population floor of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like diminutive moths , which attack many types of plant . The fly grownup microscope stage prefers the underside of leaf to feast and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can rest up to 500 eggs in a life twosome of 2 months . If a works is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually pass to engraft death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful plant virus . They also create a sweet substance prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black control surface fungous ontogenesis call off sooty mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; purpose screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants by from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( Al foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellowed viscous cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may rust holes in leaves , strip entire stem , or totally devour seedlings and supply ship transplanting , allow behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide trade protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and sunrise . Set out beer traps from late spring through surrender .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for nipper and pets ; take tending when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally establish on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . problem are worse where night are nerveless and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is commonly found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often release yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf come forth ruckle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often pretermit early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant change and space plants properly so they receive decent light and strain circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is preponderant for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions incisively , not pretermit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , heyday , or junk in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water pluck or yellow - edge appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf floater , use a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , come to to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide-eyed smorgasbord of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they regain a good eating site . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protect by its grueling case bed . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that soak up the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellowed foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet core call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous growth called jet-black stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are concentrated to operate . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . further lifelike enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is notice on the surface of farewell . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / melanise the folio and stems of the plant . The best way to operate pitchy mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
