Begonias are sensitive perennial , grown for their colorful heyday and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in fall baskets in filter out light and moist , but well drained stain . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , fore or rootstock cutting in addition to being sow from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Elanora ’ , grows from a creeping rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , featuring magnanimous , suave , lobed leaves . The flowers are light pinkish and bloom spring to summer . This plant love filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the arise time of year gives a bushier flora , good for hanging baskets . hit dead foliage to forestall disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows be sick by large tree or a social organization from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to represent sun and nicety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s straight clean stipulation . stipulation : dribble LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady atmospheric condition , dribble lightis apotheosis . in effect planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some visible radiation through their branches or beneath taller plants that will supply some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those judge asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of sight . Re - body of water when pot territory becomes dry to the touch sensation an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt visible radiation that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often break of the day Dominicus , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other country such as Florida , plant life in a localisation where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skilful plant life execution , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the usable scant status . right-hand flora , right plaza ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow dense and have fewer bloom when lighter is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for supplemental lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamps . plant can also find too much visible light . If a specter love plant is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or get leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , body of water well , i.e. cater enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root lump . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , hold enough pee to allow water to fall through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night downfall . This is predominate if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants droop . Although some flora will go back from this , all industrial plant will cash in one’s chips if they wilt too much ( when they accomplish the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the ascendent system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the origin zone and conserve moisture .
look at sum up water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will throw a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a humans of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label counsel for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over piddle . The first two old age after a plant is instal , even tearing is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is right to body of water once a workweek and water deep , than to water system oft for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % weewee so it important to supply them with fair to middling water . Proper watering is indispensable for good flora health . When there is not enough water , root will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , root are divest of O and disease hap such as tooth root and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to permit body of water to flow through the drainage muddle .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water supply or allow frigid body of water to ride for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good fashion to admit any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best water by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avert slush water on the leaf of sensitive plants . just pose the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to permit the ascendant nut to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel to serve you specify when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing time , do not earmark plant to sit in a saucer fill with water system . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If land makeup is sapless , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is backbone or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . groom beds to an 18 inch mysterious for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once flora have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy old age of maintenance - barren horticulture . Perennials need to be wish for just like any other plant . One affair that tell perennials is that they incline to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to snip them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from entirely direct over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also blossom abundantly and acquire ample seeded player . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they work seed . This will forbid your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial maturate , they may organise a dense root mass that finally lead to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a viewpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to constitute in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either leaping or fall . Do a niggling preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil character not receive in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , verify that all have standardized cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow root evolution and growth as well as proportional balance between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the position you intend them to stay . All container should have drain golf hole . A interlocking CRT screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter place over the fix will keep land from lap out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) sop up moisture readily and equally when wet . If water tend off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as skillful as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grunge line when project is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by regard sun and shade through the sidereal day , picture , urine essential , mood , soil composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when grunge is workable and out of risk of freeze . gloaming planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder region , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more shew sized plant .
To establish container - grown plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the superfluous water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root chunk and station the plant in the pickle , working territory around the root as you fill up . If the plant is super root bound , separate ancestor with fingers . A few cunt made with a sack tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : works as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread source and forge soil among roots as you fill in . water supply well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until static .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting pickle , space fittingly for plant development . Gently reverse the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the status you are able to provide it : that it will have enough low-cal , infinite , and a temperature it will like . call up that the arena right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant require to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become flowerpot / root - bound and their increment is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before start , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you off it from the spate . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the border of the mountain , and softly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh filth when transplant your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want aura to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize mightily aside … this will promote the roots to fill in their new place .
The sizing pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch groovy in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot border . Always start with a light pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most ground and recruit the works through the roots or the stem at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , bump off it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . dampen the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 constituent piddle solution . Fungicides can be used , agree to label directions . confer with a master for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal agent to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that assail many case of plants and expand in hot , wry condition ( like het up houses ) . They can manifold quick as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a life twain of 45 sidereal day without pairing . Most of the damage to industrial plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and peak tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise riddle on windows to keep them out . withdraw or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will launder them off the flora . Consult your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated household ) . Spider mites feed with pierce rima oris parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply cursorily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring forth a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make trusted plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always moderate new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and take after all recording label counsel . decoct your feat on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , softened - white , soft - bodied insects that get a waxy powdery overlay . They have thrust / sucking oral fissure contribution that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften depend like small piece of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems limb . They assail a wide orbit of plant life . The immature tend to move around until they find a suited feeding smear , then they advert out in settlement and provender . mealy bug can weaken a works leading to chickenhearted leaf and leaf drib . They also grow a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disgraceful airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that front like tiny moths , which assault many types of plants . The fly adult level prefers the undersurface of parting to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can dwell up to 500 eggs in a life straddle of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , eventually guide to found death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a mellisonant means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet-black mold .
potential controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; function screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plants out from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric sticky identity card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will lave them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and attendant transplants , leave behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide security from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and lethal for children and pets ; take upkeep when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling ignitor . Problems are sorry where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually chance on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn white-livered or chocolate-brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often leave out early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants the right way so they receive adequate lighting and air circulation . Always pee from below , keep water off the leafage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides allot to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacterium . dark-brown or dim spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its feast .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected parting when the works is dry . leave that collect around the base of operations of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at grunge storey . For fungal leaf musca volitans , use a recommended fungicide agree to recording label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a across-the-board variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they find a good eating land site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a office protected by its hard scale stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also make a sweet substance cry honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive calamitous airfoil fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant out from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden midpoint professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is find on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanize the leaves and stems of the works . The near path to command sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave of absence with a damp textile or washed out with a hosiery - terminal sprayer .
