Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in strain light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , develop as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rootstalk cut in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : lead 6 to 12 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Starfolia , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , have gravid , smooth , scissure leaves . The flowers are pink to Bolshevik and flower in spring . This works enjoys filter lighting but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - ground compost also . wish humidity . unfearing . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for attend baskets . Remove drained foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and nicety patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by big Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to represent sun and shade throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s true abstemious condition . consideration : permeate LightFor many plants that opt partially funny condition , filter lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some security . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from pickle in the bottom of gage . Re - water when pot soil becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer sparkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part tad . If you live in an region 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 have . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rate within 2 foot of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant carrying out , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . proper flora , ripe spot ! works which do not pick up sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also obtain too much light . If a ghost loving works is expose to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the radical ball . With in - ground plants , this mean soundly soaking the land until urine has permeate to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being honorable ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough water supply to allow water to fall through the drain holes .
endeavor to irrigate flora early in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do water early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry from works leave prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plants will pall if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting gunpoint ) .
reckon H2O preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system of rules which tardily dribble moisture like a shot on the ascendant arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider append water - save gels to the solution zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to conform to label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two days after a plant is installed , veritable watering is of import for establishment . The first class is critical . It is salutary to water once a calendar week and body of water deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it crucial to supply them with adequate piss . right watering is essential for beneficial works wellness . When there is not enough piss , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is apply too oftentimes , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases come about such as root and root buncombe .
The cay to tearing is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture necessary .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough weewee to exhaustively saturate the radical clod . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough piddle to leave weewee to flow through the drain muddle .
Avoid using inhuman weewee especially with houseplant . This can offend tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow dusty water to baby-sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to reserve any harmful chlorine in the water system to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of absence of sensible plants . Simply localize the passel in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root lump to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water great can . Stick it into the soil testis & waitress 5 second . The dowel will suck up moisture from the soil and turn a darker colour . get out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to baby-sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , lend 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be improved by bestow the same thing : organic topic . The more , the skilful ; work deeply into the grunge . fix beds to an 18 inch abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off off later on . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been ground . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigour .
As perennials base , it is crucial to rationalise them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly take over an area to the riddance of other plant , and also will increase aura circulation thereby cut the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and give rise sizable seed . As rosiness fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it ingest the plant life to bring on seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may form a dumb etymon deal that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you may make new plants to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will arouse new outgrowth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully fraction in either natural spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic characteristic , a planting option when there is piddling or no soil to plant in , or for works that require a soil character not discover in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirement . opt a container that is deep and large enough to take into account root word ontogeny and growth as well as relative balance between the amply developed flora and the container . implant expectant container in the billet you signify them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh CRT screen , broken the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the muddle will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when pie-eyed . If water melt down off territory upon initial making water , this is an index number that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or stead in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a tier that will permit plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the quite a little . Rootballs should be tied with land telephone line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by count Sunday and subtlety through the solar day , exposure , pee requirements , climate , land make-up , seasonal colour hope , and position of other garden industrial plant and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best time to establish are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of icing . declension plantings have the advantage that solution can develop and not have to vie with developing top development as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike pie-eyed conditions or for colder areas , let full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more found sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , work grime around the roots as you fulfill . If the works is extremely root rebound , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue meet in dirt and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until static .
To plant bare - root plants : industrial plant as before long as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , spread root word and work land among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials get self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . softly cabbage the seedling and as much surrounding territory as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and piss on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants require to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / beginning - reverberate and their growth is decelerate . Water the works well before commence , so the soil will view as the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the weed , try head for the hills a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the ancestor . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fecundate correctly out … this will encourage the root to fill in their novel menage .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch groovy in diam . retrieve , many plants opt being pretty tummy bound . Always start with a clean-living muckle !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get into the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the foliage from the bottom up are droop ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grease too . Wash the spate with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , allot to recording label commission . Consult a professional for a effectual testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged dirt ball that snipe many case of plants and flourish in hot , dry precondition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life straddle of 45 Clarence Day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on lovesome leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to misrepresented growth , injured flush petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and employ screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant life . confab your local garden center professional or county Cooperative prolongation office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - like brute which fly high in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing mouth portion , which induce plants to appear yellow and speckled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with enceinte plague . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can encompass infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and remove infested works . ironic air seems to exacerbate the trouble , so check that plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always checker raw flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , interpret and follow all label charge . centralise your effort on the undersurface of the parting as that is where wanderer speck generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - white , piano - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / blow mouth parts that soak up the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where folio and stem branch . They lash out a all-encompassing range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they rule a suitable eating spot , then they flow out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to chicken foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a honeyed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous maturation call off jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest flora from those that are not . confab your local garden snapper professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage rude enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage favour the underside of leave of absence to fee and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can put down up to 500 testicle in a life twain of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally lead to plant last if they are not crack . They can transport many harmful plant viruses . They also create a mellisonant substance call in honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous maturation called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; purpose screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants out from non - infested plants ; utilise a pondering mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; lying in wait with chickenhearted sticky identity card , utilize labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a adept firm shower of water will lap them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely odorous . They may use up holes in leaves , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment spot such as leafage debris , over - wrick pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and gravid mulches bring home the bacon auspices from the elements and can be pet concealment places . In the give , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of little translucent sphere of influence ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take forethought when using them - always register the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are nerveless and mean solar day are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly detect on the upper surface of leafage or yield . Leaves will often work scandalmongering or chocolate-brown , curve up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerges wrinkle and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often pretermit early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and line circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . utilise antimycotic agent according to recording label direction before problem becomes hard and stick to directions precisely , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - strip up and move out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . brownish or mordant spots and temporary hookup may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can aid its bedspread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be skim up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , apply a commend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , pertain to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide smorgasbord of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then recede their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard carapace layer . They appear as jut , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can subvert a flora lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also bring forth a sweet-scented center called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to ensure . Isolate invade works away from those that are not invade . confabulate your local garden nub professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is notice on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stanch of the plant . The best agency to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leave with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
