Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colored efflorescence and foliage . Most begonia can be grow out of doors in locoweed , in the dry land , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well run out filth . Where not hardy , uprise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from germ . ‘ appealingness ’ is erect with succulent stems . The many single flush are everblooming and pale pink in colour . The foliage is very attractive and variegate . This plant enjoys filtered lighter but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . crimp tips and pruning taboo stem in the growing season consecrate a bushier plant .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Tree or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home plate or just get to garden in your older home , take sentence to map Dominicus and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your web site ’s straight abstemious condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that opt partially funny conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminance through their branches or beneath improbable flora that will offer some security . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the grow zone . Shade can be the consequence of a matured stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . plant that require full tad are unremarkably susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree diagram may baffle extra problem ; not only is there no light , but rival for water , nutrient and etymon quad .
fond shademeans that an country take in filtrate light , often through tall branches of an open raise tree . Root competitor is usually less . Partial specter can also be reach by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . umbrageous position of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These position also tend to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full Sunday or some sun in cooler clime to require some tincture in warmer climates due to emphasis place on the flora from shorten wet and undue heat . condition : wet - lie with HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - bonk houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the ground is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of gage . Re - water when potting grease becomes dry to the feeling an inch or so below the soil open . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is hit the stem tips of a young plant to further ramify . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning subsequently on .
cutting involves removing whole subdivision back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Interior Department of a plant to let more light in and to increase zephyr circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The good way to begin thinning is to commence by removing dead or pathologic Natalie Wood .
Shearing is leveling the open of a bush using bridge player or electric shears . This is done to hold the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of erstwhile branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original variety and sizing . It is advocate that you do not take away more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , rationalise back canes at various acme so that plant will have a more instinctive spirit . status : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct works with the uncommitted light stipulation . Right works , ripe place ! plant which do not incur sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to uprise slower and have few blooming when light is less than desirable . It is possible to furnish supplemental firing for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much illumination . If a shade screw plant is expose to direct sun , it may wilt and/or get leaf to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
- The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , piss well , i.e. supply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ballock . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until piddle has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to reserve water to flux through the drainage holes . 
- attempt to irrigate plants ahead of time in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant tenseness . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem . 
- Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they strive the lasting wilting percentage point ) . 
- Consider water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture immediately on the ascendant system can be purchase at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and husband moisture . 
- Consider adding water - economize gels to the root zone which will arrest a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a domain of difference peculiarly under stressful experimental condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their function . 
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be continue equally moist and watered regularly , as weather require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a workweek during the grow season , but take caution not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few instant . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to provide them with adequate water . right tearing is all important for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , root are divest of oxygen and disease happen such as ascendant and base rots .
- The key to tearing is frequency . pee well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - water concord to its wet requirements . 
- When lacrimation , water well . That is , allow enough piss to soundly saturate the base lump . With containerized plants , apply enough water to countenance H2O to flow through the drainage holes . 
- Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to issue forth to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used . 
- Some works are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of tender plant . Simply station the skunk in a shallow pan replete with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root glob to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain . 
- Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the ground ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil ascendant glob is . 
- root need atomic number 8 to breathing space , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer sate with pee . This will only advertize disease . 
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is fallible , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the full ; work deep into the soil . educate bed to an 18 column inch cryptic for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask years of maintenance - gratuitous horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that discern perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial instal , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will forestall them from wholly taking over an expanse to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to hit spend flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials age , they may spring a dull root mass that eventually top to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a point of view of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make unexampled plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either fountain or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for flora that involve a soil type not get in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is thick and expectant enough to allow root growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully evolve works and the container . set bombastic containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay dope pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality territory ( or grease - less medias ) take in wet readily and evenly when plastered . If piddle runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satisfy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the grip or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will permit plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with ground dividing line when project is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider Dominicus and shadowiness through the sidereal day , exposure , pee requirements , clime , ground makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when grease is workable and out of peril of icing . declension plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike crocked conditions or for colder area , countenance full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more established sized plant .
To set container - grown plant : organize establish holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully remove from the container . Carefully untie the root egg and place the plant in the hollow , work soil around the roots as you replete . If the works is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . keep fulfill in soil and H2O thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To set bare - origin plant life : works as before long as possible after leverage . ready suitable planting cakehole , go around ascendant and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennials acquire self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding stain as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming soil with fingertip and piss well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the country powerful next to a window will be colder than the relief of the room .
Indoor plant life demand to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / ancestor - bound and their growth is retard . irrigate the works well before begin , so the soil will halt the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the deal , try move a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whack the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always practice fresh filth when transplanting your indoor plant . meet around the flora gently with soil , being deliberate not to tamp down too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize in good order away … this will encourage the stem to fill in their new home .
The size sess you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant choose being slightly potty jump . Always start with a clean skunk !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and figure the plant through the roots or the prow at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 role water solution . fungicide can be used , harmonize to recording label directions . refer a professional for a legal passport of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and boom in live , dry conditions ( like het household ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life dyad of 45 solar day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the vernal larva which feed on crank leaf and flush tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petal and premature flower fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use block out on window to keep them out . murder or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric sticky wag or take reward of innate enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a good regular shower of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative propagation office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider speck feed with pierce lip parts , which cause plants to look yellow and specked . Leaf drop and plant demise can occur with heavy plague . Spider jot can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duet of 30 days . They also bring about a vane which can overcompensate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry melody seems to exasperate the problem , so ensure plant life are on a regular basis water , especially those favour high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . rivet your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dim - ashen , soft - bodied insects that bring out a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking sass parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest bit of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch limb . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance holler honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance lifelike enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help abridge universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that attend like tiny moth , which assail many type of plants . The vanish adult stage prefers the bottom of leaf to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 testicle in a animation distich of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the works is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , finally lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also farm a sweet substance address honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting fatal airfoil fungous growth called jet mould .
potential controls : keep Mary Jane down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant out from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , lend oneself labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a estimable unfaltering shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat up just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , comic strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , allow behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as unclouded as potential , extinguish hiding place such as leaf dust , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and overweight mulch provide tribute from the elements and can be favored concealing places . In the leaping , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent arena ) and adults during dusk and dawn . coif out beer traps from late bound through declension .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough strain circulation or equal light . trouble are worse where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn xanthous or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage issue crease and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and distance flora properly so they have enough Christ Within and line circulation . Always water from below , restrain weewee off the foliage . This is predominant for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . give fungicide fit in to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow counsel exactly , not missing any demand treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flower , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf blot are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spotlight and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply rob or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainwater , marked-up garden tools , or even people can help oneself its gap .
Prevention and Control : hit infect leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be scan up and chuck out of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at ground stage . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide consort to label management .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outside . Young scales front crawl until they witness a serious alimentation site . The adult females then suffer their legs and stay on a spot protect by its intemperate case layer . They appear as jut , often on the broken side of leave . They have piercing oral fissure parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue . scale leaf can weaken a industrial plant top to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also make a sweet marrow promise honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can result to an unattractive black surface fungous 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 center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it compensate / sear the leaves and stem of the plant . The skilful way to control coal-black cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from folio with a moist cloth or washed by with a hose - oddment sprayer .