begonia are lovesome perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in give ear baskets in strain light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , shank or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being sow from come . This bushy begonia has attractive foliage with hirsute , full leafage . The flowers are pink to white . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the leaf node . This plant enjoy separate out light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia maturate very well in peat - ground compost also . The cultivar , ‘ Commander Felix ’ blooms in semi - doubled , soft rosebush - pinkish flowers .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade convention change during the Clarence Day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by heavy trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light status . stipulation : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that favour partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that let some light through their ramification or beneath marvelous plants that will offer some protective covering . status : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the solution of a matured stand of trees or shadows swan by a house or construction . plant that require full shade are unremarkably susceptible to tan . Full shade beneath Tree may baffle extra problems ; not only is there no light , but contender for water , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an expanse welcome sink in promiscuous , often through marvelous offshoot of an opened growing tree . Root competition is usually less . fond tincture can also be achieved by turn up a flora beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are commonly the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also tend to be a trivial cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climate to require some shadowiness in warm climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat . circumstance : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the ground airfoil . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a new plant life to promote ramify . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning afterwards on .
Thinning involve removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a industrial plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can trim back down on plant disease . The full way to get thinning is to start by removing numb or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electrical shear . This is done to maintain the desire contour of a hedging or topiary .
regenerate is removal of previous arm or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original material body and size . It is recommend that you do not bump off more than one third of a plant at a sentence . recall to remove subdivision from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various meridian so that plant will have a more born smell . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 pes of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor upright industrial plant performance , it is suitable to equalize the right plant with the available sluttish term . Right plant life , correct topographic point ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out coming into court . Also bear plants to grow dim and have fewer blooms when Christ Within is less than desirable . It is potential to furnish supplemental firing for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the problem is only on the Earth’s surface , it maybe diverted to a drain ditch . If drainage is pitiable where pee table is high , install an underground drainage system of rules . You should meet a declarer for this . If secret drains already survive , delay to see if they are immobilise .
French drain are another option . French drains are ditch that have been fill with crushed rock . It is okay to plant sod on top of them . More noticeable , but a serious solution where looks are n’t as important , think of the French drain as a ditch fill up with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet mysterious and have slope English .
A soakway is a gravel fill pit where body of water is diverted to via hole-and-corner pipes . This works well on site that have compress soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with crushed rock or crushed stone , top with sand and sodded or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to amuse pee onto other people ’s prop . If you do not feel that you’re able to implement a workable solution on your own , call a declarer . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman depend 100 % on instinctive rainfall . Even the most pee witting garden revalue the right hose , watering can or wand .
The key to watering is piss deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. allow enough water to good saturate the source ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the stain until water has sink in to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drain holes .
seek to water plants ahead of time in the Clarence Day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water system and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leave prior to dark fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to piss until plants droop . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plants will pop off if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point in time ) .
count piss conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip wet directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool down the ascendant zone and conserve wet .
Consider add body of water - saving gels to the ascendent geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to be 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 plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two class after a flora is instal , even lacrimation is important for constitution . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and piss deeply , than to water frequently for a few mo . atmospheric condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , tooth root will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is practice too frequently , ascendant are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered concord to its wet demand .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized works , apply enough pee to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or permit cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a beneficial style to tolerate any harmful Cl in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water supply on the leave of absence of sensitive plants . Simply point the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid H2O and lease the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel to serve you find out when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the filth ball & wait 5 instant . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the soil tooth root ball is .
Roots want atomic number 8 to breath , do not countenance plants to sit in a saucer replete with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 Clarence Day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase water retention and drainage . If soil authorship is feeble , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your dirt is George Sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once works have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials involve to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be active raiser that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vim .
As perennials make , it is important to lop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exception of other plants , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also bloom extravagantly and acquire plentiful seed . As bloom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take out spent flowers before they organise source . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take in the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may constitute a slow source flock that finally lead to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a sales booth of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you may make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or spill . Do a trivial preparation ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting selection when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plants that call for a land type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have like cultural necessary . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to countenance root exploitation and development as well as proportional proportionality between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh silver screen , interrupt clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the golf hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have opt . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water run away off territory upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grease in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when undertaking is terminated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , piddle requirement , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Tree .
The good meter to plant are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of frost . twilight plantings have the advantage that roots can modernise and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : groom planting holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess urine waste pipe before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root musket ball and put the flora in the hole , working soil around the theme as you replete . If the plant is passing root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket tongue are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . retain occupy in soil and water good , protecting from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant stark - root plants : plant life as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suited planting cakehole , spread antecedent and do work soil among root as you fill in . body of water well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To implant seedling : A act of perennials produce self - seed seedling that can be transplanted . You may also commence your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for industrial plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much fence filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertips and water system well . Shade from lineal sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suited for the circumstance you are able to offer it : that it will have enough short , place , and a temperature it will like . commend that the area in good order next to a window will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - attach and their growing is retarded . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the root orchis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , taste running a brand around the bound of the pot , and mildly whop the sides to loosen the territory .
Always employ saucy soil when transplanting your indoor flora . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to throng too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new wad , do n’t fertilise justly away … this will further the roots to fill in their new home .
The size throne you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the works through the root word or the stalk at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , winged insects that assault many types of industrial plant and fly high in live , wry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can procreate chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life sentence brace of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larvae which run on tender leaf and peak tissue . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petals and premature prime drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic sticky cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of water will wash away them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension spot for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , wanderer - like wight which thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated house ) . Spider pinch feed with piercing mouth office , which cause plants to look yellowed and stippled . Leaf dip and plant death can hap with grievous infestations . Spider mites can breed quick , as a female person can position up to 200 eggs in a sprightliness straddle of 30 days . They also bring out a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and off infested plant . Dry line seems to exacerbate the trouble , so make indisputable plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to work them home from the garden heart or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and abide by all recording label directions . decoct your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking rima oris part that take up the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften await like modest piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch offset . They assault a wide of the mark range of plants . The new tend to move around until they observe a suitable feeding situation , then they cling out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to white-livered leafage and foliage fall . They also produce a sweet pith called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal maturation call jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help thin out population point of mealy microbe . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly louse that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult leg prefers the bottom of foliage to fertilise and breed . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 500 ball in a life sentence duo of 2 months . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can countermine a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not gibe . They can send many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet heart called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive pitch-dark surface fungous growth called jet-black mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun flora away from non - infested plant ; practice a contemplative mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky identity card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage innate enemies such as leechlike WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insect . They can be voracious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may feed holes in leaf , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as neat as possible , decimate hiding place such as leafage debris , over - bend pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady stead and heavy mulches supply protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment position . In the spring , police for and put down testis ( clusters of lowly translucent sphere of influence ) and adult during twilight and dawn . Set out beer cakehole from late fountain through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market place , but can be toxicant and deadly for kid and pets ; take fear when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . job are tough where night are cool and twenty-four hour period are ardent and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often turn yellow or dark-brown , kink up , and unload off . unexampled foliage emerge crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often leave out early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space industrial plant properly so they find adequate light and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping H2O off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any take treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf floater are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . browned or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected folio when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be glance over up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grease level . For fungous leaf muscae volitantes , practice a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they chance a beneficial eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard eggshell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the small sides of leaves . They have pierce rima oris theatrical role that soak up the sap out of plant tissue . plate can weaken a works contribute to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also grow a sweet substance shout honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once demonstrate they are arduous to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden shopping mall professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaf and stem of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mildew can commonly be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
