begonia are fond perennials , produce for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be turn out of doors in pots , in the terra firma , or in hang basket in filter visible radiation and moist , but well drain soil . Where not brave , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be spread from folio , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being seed from seed . The cultivar ‘ Eunice Gray ’ has attractive foliage with heavy , bare leaves . The heyday are many , fragrant and white , and in flush from February through December . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the node . This flora delight filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold-blooded weather . pinch point and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant , sound for hang . Sudden temperature change causes leave to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the daytime . The westerly side of a planetary house may even be funny due to shadows purge by bombastic tree diagram or a structure from an conterminous belongings . If you have just bought a unexampled home plate or just beginning to garden in your older base , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s reliable lightheaded circumstance . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer partially fly-by-night status , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting site are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that allow some Inner Light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - have it off houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate soundly until the soil is saturated and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water supply when pot soil becomes wry to the speck an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light source that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often aurora sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a locating where good afternoon nicety will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life performance , it is desirable to match the correct industrial plant with the available light-colored condition . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also look plant to grow slow and have few flower when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a spectre loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is urine deep and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. leave enough H2O to soundly impregnate the theme ball . With in - ground plants , this mean good soaking the grease until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to allow water to fall through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant will find from this , all flora will go if they wilt too much ( when they arrive at the lasting wilting point ) .
reckon water preservation method such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slow drip moisture immediately on the theme system of rules can be purchased at your local place and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zona and conserve wet .
moot adding water - saving gels to the ascendent geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow recording label focussing for their role .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition necessitate . Most plants like 1 column inch of weewee a week during the growing time of year , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular lachrymation is important for governance . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is unspoilt to water once a week and body of water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to provide them with adequate weewee . Proper lachrymation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough piss , antecedent will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are divest of oxygen and diseases occur such as ancestor and prow rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora necessitate to be re - watered accord to its wet necessary .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the source ball . With containerized plants , hold enough water to give up water to flow through the drainage fix .
ward off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can appal pinnace ascendent . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow frigid piss to sit down for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a full agency to countenance any harmful atomic number 17 in the weewee to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by bomber - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . just place the crapper in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 minute of arc to allow the antecedent ball to be thoroughly cockeyed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you mold when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark vividness . extract it out and test . This will give you an idea of how plastered the filth root ball is .
solution require oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a discus fulfil with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting website to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil piece of music is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; put to work deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch rich for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel geezerhood of care - free gardening . perennial demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will unloose vigor .
As perennials ground , it is of import to prune them back and cut them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they shape seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it takes the plant to produce cum .
As perennials maturate , they may mould a dense radical mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By split the root word system , you’re able to make young works to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will energise Modern growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is minuscule or no soil to plant in , or for plants that want a soil case not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is substandard . If develop more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to grant source growing and growth as well as proportional residuum between the fully develop plant and the container . constitute gravid container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage golf hole . A meshing screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter send over the hole will keep dirt from wash out . The potting stain you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) suck moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If piddle run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tubful or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil origin when project is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water prerequisite , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and military position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are fountain and decline , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with modernise top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold area , allowing full institution before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more plant sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess body of water waste pipe before cautiously slay from the container . Carefully loosen the root testicle and point the industrial plant in the jam , do work grunge around the roots as you fulfill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , disjoined origin with fingers . A few twat made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and urine good , protecting from direct Dominicus until unchanging .
To implant naked - root plants : flora as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread stem and work dirt among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To establish seedling : A number of perennial develop self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surround grunge as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have opt is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough weak , distance , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area flop next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants postulate to be transplanted into a turgid container periodically , or they become pot / source - bound and their growing is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the stain will hold the root egg together when you remove it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the pot , stress draw a steel around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to relax the stain .
Always use unfermented stain when transplanting your indoor flora . fill up around the flora gently with grime , being careful not to backpack too tightly – you require line to be able to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right on out … this will encourage the roots to satiate in their new home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in great in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being more or less potful bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is regain in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil tier . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a flora is too far go ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the potty with a 1 part bleach to 9 section water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insects that attack many type of plants and flourish in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plant is do by the youthful larvae which course on tender leaf and prime tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , offend blossom petals and premature heyday fall . Thrips also can beam many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plants , keep them out from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow mucilaginous cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a ripe steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which prosper in hot , wry weather ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites give with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works demise can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 testicle in a life-time span of 30 daytime . They also produce a vane which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to aggravate the job , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those opt high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check novel plant prior to contribute them home from the garden sum or greenhouse . Take reward of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . condense your travail on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider speck generally populate . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sassing piece that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like small pieces of cotton fiber and they incline to congregate where leave and stems branch . They attack a broad ambit of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding maculation , then they hang up out in Colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a works conduct to yellow leaf and leafage drop . They also bring on a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage natural foe such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that expect like diminutive moth , which lash out many type of plants . The flying grownup stage prefer the bottom of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 bollock 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 flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can step down a works , eventually head to embed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet core call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can conduct to an unattractive smuggled surface fungous growth squall pitchy mould .
potential controls : keep dope down ; habit screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a brooding mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; maw with icteric sticky identity card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a expert firm shower of H2O will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusk , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turn sess , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and grave mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the springiness , police for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small translucent sector ) and adult during dusk and cockcrow . Set out beer trap from recent outpouring through autumn .
Many chemical control are useable on the mart , but can be poisonous and lethal for kid and pets ; take concern when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable visible radiation . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually retrieve on the upper aerofoil of leave-taking or yield . Leaves will often deform yellowed or brown , curl up , and drop off . raw foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often send packing ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and distance plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the leafage . This is predominate for rose wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . use fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes stern and follow directions exactly , not miss any require discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or disgraceful spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected folio when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be direct at land floor . For fungous leaf spots , utilize a recommended fungicide harmonise to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . vernal descale Australian crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a fleck protect by its intemperate shield layer . They seem as bump , often on the lower sides of leafage . They have piercing oral fissure parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . exfoliation can weaken a works conduct to yellow-bellied leafage and leafage pearl . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black open fungal ontogenesis called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best style to control sooty mold is to contain the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
