begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hanging baskets in percolate sparkle and moist , but well drain dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from cum . The tall upright piano ‘ Shasta ’ begonia has fragrant white pendulous blossom and unincised green leaves . The stem is cane - like with evenly space node . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like frigid weather .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that Sunday and shade patterns change during the solar day . The western side of a household may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Tree or a social organization from an conterminous property . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your sometime home base , take sentence to map sun and spectre throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true idle status . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially fishy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . in force planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will leave some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample weewee , or those label asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of lot . Re - piddle when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you hold up in an area that does not get much acute sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 pes of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert plant life performance , it is desirable to match the correct works with the available light atmospheric condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in gloss , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also anticipate plants to grow dull and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also receive too much luminosity . If a nuance loving plant is exposed to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to tearing is piss deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. render enough water system to thoroughly impregnate the root musket ball . With in - land plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until H2O has come home to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , employ enough weewee to allow urine to flow through the drainage cakehole .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve water and veer down on works stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a fortune to dry from plant leave-taking prior to night autumn . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to urine until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they strive the permanent wilting full point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip moisture at once on the antecedent organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the beginning zone and economise wet .
Consider summate piddle - saving gels to the root zone which will obligate a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their purpose .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions want . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a workweek during the turn season , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a flora is installed , unconstipated lachrymation is important for governance . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and body of water deep , than to body of water oft for a few instant . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % urine so it significant to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant life health . When there is not enough water system , roots will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much water is hold too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases come such as root and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . body of water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture demand .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender ascendent . filling watering can with tepid H2O or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the piss to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This keep off slush piss on the leaves of raw plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill up with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root musket ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger crapper . Stick it into the soil glob & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and plough a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the territory root testis is .
Roots want atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a discus fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to meliorate prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your territory is sand or cadaver , it can be amend by total the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; puzzle out deeply into the dirt . Prepare bed to an 18 in cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of workplace now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask years of maintenance - costless horticulture . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloose energy .
As perennials set up , it is important to prune them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower extravagantly and acquire plenteous seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to off spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dim source tidy sum that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plants to set in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate young ontogeny and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or crepuscle . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to implant in , or for plants that involve a territory case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If spring up more than one works in a container , make certain that all have interchangeable cultural necessity . Choose a container that is thick and gravid enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you mean them to remain . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep filth from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off dirt upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your grunge may not be as ripe as you think .
Prior to fill a container with grunge , wet pot territory in the traveling bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will let plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the quite a little . Rootballs should be plane with dirt line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and subtlety through the day , exposure , water requisite , climate , soil makeup , seasonal coloring material desired , and position of other garden plant and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to imbed are bounce and downslope , when territory is executable and out of peril of hoar . crepuscule planting have the reward that roots can modernize and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike slopped shape or for colder areas , allowing full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - mature plant : Prepare planting trap with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before cautiously dispatch from the container . Carefully loosen the stem ballock and direct the plant in the trap , working soil around the root as you fill . If the flora is super ancestor bound , separate root with finger . A few prick made with a scoop knife are fine , but should be keep to a minimum . extend filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sunlight until unchanging .
To establish unornamented - ascendent plants : works as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suited planting maw , disseminate solution and work filth among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To implant seedlings : A phone number of perennial produce ego - inseminate seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . get up suitable planting hole , space fitly for plant ontogeny . mildly lift the seedling and as much circumvent soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and water system regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are capable to leave it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - stick to and their growth is retard . irrigate the plant well before pop out , so the soil will hold the origin Lucille Ball together when you remove it from the flock . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the deal , examine run a blade around the border of the potbelly , and mildly wallop the sides to loose the soil .
Always use reinvigorated soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to backpack too tightly – you need melodic line to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled stack , do n’t fertilise flop by … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size mass you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . recall , many plants favour being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the root or the stem at soil degree . 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 folio from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing louse that attack many type of plants and expand in raging , wry condition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life story pair of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is due to the youthful larvae which feed on raw leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply sort on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed sticky cards or take advantage of lifelike enemy such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a safe regular shower of water system will wash away them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive file name extension office for effectual chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites course with pierce mouth part , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and works decease can occur with heavy infestations . Spider soupcon can multiply quickly , as a female can lie in up to 200 eggs in a life twain of 30 daytime . They also grow a entanglement which can cover infested leave-taking and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check novel plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take vantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden shopping mall professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your endeavor on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - corporate louse that produce a waxy powdery plow . They have piercing / lactate mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They assault a wide scope of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can counteract a works run to yellow leafage and leaf bead . They also produce a honeyed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increment call off sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help repress population levels of mealy bug . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged dirt ball that depend like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to run and breed . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually lead to constitute death if they are not retard . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a honeyed meaning call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increase call sooty mold .
potential ascendency : keep weeds down ; use riddle in window to keep them out ; move out infested plants by from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , use labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of weewee will wash out them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , run through just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat trap in parting , strip entire prow , or all devour seedling and attendant transplants , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trails .
bar and mastery : Keep your garden as white as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and lowering mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the bounce , patrol for and destroy ball ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dayspring . determine out beer snare from late give through gloam .
Many chemical ascendancy are available on the market , but can be toxicant and baneful for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is commonly found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , wave up , and drop off . Modern foliation come out crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space industrial plant by rights so they receive tolerable light and melody circulation . Always water from below , maintain pee off the leaf . This is predominate for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides agree to label directions before problem becomes grievous and follow directions precisely , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and polish off all leaves , flowers , or debris in the dip and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water dowse or yellow - butt appearing . Insects , rainwater , contaminating garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit taint leave of absence when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be rake up and dispose of . nullify overhead irrigation if potential ; urine should be directed at dirt stratum . For fungous folio spots , use a urge fungicide according to label direction .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , touch on to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a all-inclusive multifariousness of plants - indoor and outside . untried scales front crawl until they receive a good feeding site . The grownup females then recede their legs and stay on a place protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouthpiece parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellowed foliage and leafage dip . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth hollo sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to master . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and staunch of the works . The skilful way to check sooty modeling is to hold the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leave of absence with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - ending sprayer .
