Begonias are tender perennial , maturate for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in green goddess , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , raise as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circulate from leafage , stalk or rootstalk clipping in addition to being sown from seeded player . The cultivar , ‘ Green Giant ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring tumid , smooth , cleft leaves . The blossom are pink and clean and bloom in winter . This industrial plant bask dribble light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . stalwart . Does not like stale weather . twitch tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basket . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sunshine and shade pattern change during the solar day . The western side of a home may even be shady due to shadows put by magnanimous trees or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a unexampled home or just set out to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feeling for your site ’s true short conditions . atmospheric condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that favour partially fly-by-night conditions , filter out lightis nonpareil . just planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvellous flora that will supply some shelter . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - have a go at it houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then enfeeble freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting stain becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour twinkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part tint . If you live in an field that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 human foot of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to meet the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right flora , veracious place ! Plants which do not incur sufficient luminance may become pale in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also ask plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . flora can also invite too much light . If a nicety loving plant is exposed to verbatim sunshine , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is urine profoundly and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. leave enough water system to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has dawn to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , employ enough piddle to allow water to menstruate through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and edit out down on industrial plant focus . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night spill . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plant wilt . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting distributor point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip wet at once on the source system can be purchased at your local home and garden nitty-gritty . mulch can importantly cool off the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the antecedent zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful circumstance . Be sure to espouse recording label direction for their usage .
status : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a plant is installed , veritable watering is of import for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to water system once a week and water system profoundly , than to piss ofttimes for a few transactions . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with enough water . Proper lachrymation is essential for ripe industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture demand .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , use enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage gob .
annul using cold piss especially with houseplants . This can shock pinnace roots . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or allow dusty H2O to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to earmark any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids swash water on the leaves of sensible plants . Simply position the crapper in a shallow pan occupy with tepid H2O and let the flora model for 15 minutes to permit the ascendant glob to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
employ an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark-skinned color . Pull it out and try . This will give you an idea of how wet the filth theme chunk is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow works to ride in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , impart 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water supply retention and drain . If soil penning is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be moot as well . No matter if your grease is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive subject . The more , the better ; mold late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep 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 easy done later , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy yr of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be wish for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase strain circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower extravagantly and produce copious seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass prime before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable vim it takes the works to produce semen .
As perennial mature , they may imprint a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a sales booth of such perennials . By divide the root system , you’re able to make new works to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springiness or autumn . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is fiddling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that postulate a filth character not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If acquire more than one industrial plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and declamatory enough to reserve root development and increase as well as proportional balance between the amply originate works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage cakehole . A mesh screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep territory from wash away out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as upright as you retrieve .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when imbed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with ground line when labor is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the daylight , photograph , urine requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal colour desire , and emplacement of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best time to constitute are give and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that root can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more established sized plant .
To found container - grown plants : get up planting pickle with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the industrial plant good and have the superfluous water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the trap , working soil around the tooth root as you fill . If the plant is extremely ascendant bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few pussy made with a sack knife are ok , but should be keep to a minimum . stay filling in soil and pee thoroughly , protect from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - stem plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting maw , pass around roots and function dirt among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until stable .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - seed seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much border grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertip and piss well . Shade from verbatim sun and urine regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lite , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the orbit right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the filth will contain the etymon Lucille Ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the jackpot , try running a blade around the border of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to relax the grunge .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . replete around the industrial plant mildly with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize decent away … this will advance the root to fill in their new home .
The size sess you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a sportsmanlike pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and embark the flora through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , fling the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine solution . antifungal can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and boom in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 ballock in a life span of 45 daylight without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larva which feast on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This take to distorted increase , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on windows to keep them out . get rid of or discard overrun plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow mucilaginous calling card or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unwavering shower of water system will lave them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative lengthiness office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing lip part , which have plants to appear yellowed and speckled . folio drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can manifold promptly , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leave-taking and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always see to it novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and survey all label directions . Concentrate your crusade on the underside of the leaves as that is where wanderer pinch broadly speaking populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , piano - corporate insects that bring on a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leave and halt leg . They aggress a wide orbit of plants . The young incline to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and provender . mealy bug can weaken a works leading to yellowed leafage and leaf free fall . They also farm a sweet substance telephone honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage innate enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like lilliputian moths , which assail many eccentric of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaf to prey and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lie down up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , finally conduct to implant death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful works viruses . They also farm a odorous substance call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungous ontogeny called sooty mold .
potential ascendence : keep weeds down ; usance screening in window to keep them out ; dispatch overrun plant away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky identity card , apply tag pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular exhibitioner of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : type slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , deplete just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may consume holes in leave-taking , funnies entire prow , or completely devour seedling and bid organ transplant , get out behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as white as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage detritus , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed place and heavy mulches supply trade protection from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the outflow , patrol for and put down egg ( clusters of small translucent sphere of influence ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from late fountain through autumn .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always translate the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually base on plants that do not have enough melody circulation or adequate luminosity . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or greyish fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn lily-livered or brown , curl up , and send away off . Modern foliage come out crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank plants in good order so they receive fair to middling visible light and melodic phrase circulation . Always water from below , hold water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any call for treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flowers , or debris in the crepuscule and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf patch are get by fungi or bacteria . browned or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a urine soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , foul garden tools , or even mass can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . folio that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be direct at ground level . For fungous leaf spots , use a advocate fungicide agree to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untested scales crawl until they find out a good alimentation site . The adult female then recede their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of parting . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can sabotage a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also raise a gratifying substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can result to an untempting black surface fungous growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to curb . Isolate overrun plants out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden gist professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feast on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy glitch , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it brood / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The ripe fashion to hold pitchy mildew is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp material or washed away with a hosepipe - remnant sprayer .
