Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colourful flower and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outside in deal , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not unfearing , get as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome cut in summation to being sown from source . ( Plant breadth : leaves over 6 column inch ) The ‘ Sir Arthur Dias ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring large voluted leaves that are often colourise and patterned . This plant enjoys filter lighter but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia farm very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather condition . pinch tip and pruning outer stems in the originate time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . slay numb leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the solar day . The western side of a house may even be fishy due to trace throw up by orotund tree or a social structure from an side by side place . If you have just buy a new home or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key light precondition . precondition : filter out LightFor many plants that prefer partially louche condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will provide some protective cover . atmospheric condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from fix in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting grime becomes dry to the tactile sensation an inch or so below the dirt surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often aurora Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sunshine or part shadiness . If you know in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a localisation where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 groundwork of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to touch the right plant with the available faint condition . right-hand plant life , good place ! Plants which do not obtain sufficient twinkle may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also carry plants to spring up slow and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also get too much luminosity . If a wraith loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The paint to lachrymation is water deeply and less often . When watering , H2O well , i.e. allow enough water to good saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plants , this mean good hit it up the soil until water has get through to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to provide water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants early in the daylight or later on in the afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant leave prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until plant wilt . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plants will break down if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting period ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture at once on the root system of rules can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the antecedent geographical zone which will keep back a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of conflict especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label way for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take upkeep not to over water system . The first two years after a works is set up , even tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first class is critical . It is ripe to water once a week and piddle deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with passable water . right watering is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will shrivel up and the plant will wilt . When too much water is implement too oftentimes , roots are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and shank rots .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant postulate to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the root musket ball . With containerized works , implement enough water to allow piss to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock attender antecedent . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a expert way to permit any harmful atomic number 17 in the pee to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water system on the leave-taking of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid body of water and have the plant model for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly lactating . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to avail you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the land Lucille Ball & wait 5 moment . The dowel pin will suck wet from the soil and turn a non-white color . draw in it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how slopped the soil root ball is .
ascendant need oxygen to breath , do not countenance plant to sit in a saucer satiate with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If dirt authorship is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be meliorate by tote up the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; knead deep into the soil . machinate layer to an 18 inch mystifying for perennial . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant life have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of care - gratis horticulture . Perennials need to be handle for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will liberate muscularity .
As perennials make , it is significant to crop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from totally taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower profusely and give rise rich come . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to get rid of spent flowers before they make semen . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seeded player .
As perennials grow , they may form a slow ascendant tidy sum that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a point of view of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will induce new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outpouring or free fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is fiddling or no land to constitute in , or for plants that require a grunge eccentric not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is substandard . If arise more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow root developing and ontogeny as well as proportional Libra the Balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshing sieve , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If piddle go off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your land may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet pot soil in the base or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when engraft , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when project is staring . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the daytime , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best time to plant are saltation and drop , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . dusk planting have the advantage that roots can break and not have to compete with developing top increment as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pissed conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plant : educate planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully get rid of from the container . Carefully tease apart the root testis and grade the industrial plant in the hole , work soil around the beginning as you fill . If the industrial plant is super stem bound , disjoined base with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until static .
To plant bare - etymon plant life : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread origin and mould soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials bring forth self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting golf hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much fence in soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct sunshine and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to leave it : that it will have enough sluttish , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area decent next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life involve to be transplanted into a prominent container periodically , or they become heap / source - border and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before embark on , so the soil will hold the root word orchis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble stick the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the boundary of the quite a little , and gently whop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use impudent soil when transplant your indoor plant life . sate around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right aside … this will encourage the radical to satiate in their unexampled home .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in slap-up in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being more or less pot limit . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is come up in most soils and enter the plant through the ancestor or the root word 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 decease ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , withdraw it . If your plant is in a container , throw out the filth too . moisten the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 portion water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . look up a pro for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that assault many types of plants and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female person can lie in up to 300 ball in a life pair of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to works is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growing , injure flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic gluey cards or take vantage of raw enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good regular rain shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mite feed with thrust mouth part , which induce plants to look chickenhearted and flecked . leafage drop and plant death can occur with heavy plague . wanderer mites can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a biography span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can incubate infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the trouble , so make indisputable plant are on a regular basis irrigate , especially those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension part , translate and follow all label directions . Concentrate your crusade on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - bodied insects that bring on a waxy powdery spread over . They have piercing / sucking mouth role that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest piece of cotton wool and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They snipe a wide chain of mountains of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they see a suitable alimentation spot , then they string up out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can soften a plant life leading to yellow leaf and foliage drop . They also give rise a seraphic gist called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foeman such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many type of plants . The fly adult phase prefers the underside of leaves to prey and breed . whitefly can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a living couple of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insect when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , finally pass to imbed decease if they are not check up on . They can transmit many harmful flora virus . They also produce a perfumed meat called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty modeling .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use sort in windows to keep them out ; remove infested flora away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with white-livered embarrassing cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be rapacious feeders , corrode just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may use up golf hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or totally devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - story silvery , unworthy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as light as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shadowed places and threatening mulch allow shelter from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy nut ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and break of day . define out beer traps from late leaping through drop .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and deadly for nipper and PET ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . trouble are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery clean or grey-haired fungus is commonly found on the upper aerofoil of leaf or yield . Leaves will often turn yellowed or brown , coil up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges ruckle and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plants decently so they incur adequate light and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , continue water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . utilise fungicides according to recording label management before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , blossom , or detritus in the fall and demolish . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf stain are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water hit it up or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even the great unwashed can facilitate its paste .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leave when the industrial plant is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the stand of the works should be raked up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be directed at dirt degree . For fungous leafage muscae volitantes , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label focusing .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy microbe , that can be a trouble on a wide diverseness of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a secure feeding land site . The grownup female person then fall behind their ramification and remain on a spot protected by its hard racing shell level . They appear as protrusion , often on the low face of leaves . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can soften a works extend to white-livered leaf and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden plaza professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is discover on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to manipulate sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
