begonia are tender perennials , farm for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the primer , or in hanging baskets in filter sparkle and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Alice ’ originate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature medium - sized spiral leaves that are often emblazon and pattern . The few flowers are pale pink and bloom intermittently . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . vellicate tip and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , in effect for hanging field goal . Remove deadened foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to phantom cast by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your sure-enough home plate , take fourth dimension to map Sunday and shade throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate tone for your internet site ’s dead on target unaccented conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that choose partially shady circumstance , filtered lightis paragon . adept planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree diagram that countenance some Inner Light through their arm or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the grow zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shadows roll by a theater or building . plant that require full nuance are unremarkably susceptible to erythema solare . Full shade beneath trees may pose extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competitor for water , nutrients and root blank .
Partial shademeans that an expanse have filtered abstemious , often through tall ramification of an open growing tree . Root contention is usually less . Partial spook can also be achieved by locating a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like social organisation . fly-by-night side of a building are normally the northern or northeast sides . These slope also tend to be a slight ice chest . It is not rare for plant life that can permit full sun or some Lord’s Day in cooler climates to call for some tad in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting dirt becomes teetotal to the touch an in or so below the soil aerofoil . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem gratuity of a young works to promote branch . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning by and by on .
Thinning need removing whole branches back to the bole . This may be done to open up the interior of a flora to let more luminance in and to increase air circulation that can issue down on plant life disease . The best way to set about thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased woodwind .
Shearing is leveling the airfoil of a bush using bridge player or galvanic shears . This is done to maintain the desire bod of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a bush to fix its original form and size of it . It is recommend that you do not take away more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to take out branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant life will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 understructure of an easterly or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 ft of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor undecomposed plant performance , it is desirable to equate the right plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! plant which do not obtain sufficient lightness may become pale in colour , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when spark is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadiness loving plant is give away to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. allow for enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this think of thoroughly surcharge the soil until water has dawn to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being upright ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow body of water to menstruate through the drainage mess .
endeavor to water industrial plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to keep up water and switch off down on plant strain . Do water system early enough so that H2O has had a hazard to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will go back from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting decimal point ) .
moot water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture right away on the etymon arrangement can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the stem zone and conserve moisture .
deliberate adding water system - save gels to the root geographical zone which will have a military reserve of pee for the plant . These can make a world of departure specially under nerve-racking term . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions call for . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take caution not to over water . The first two eld after a plant life is put in , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is salutary to water once a week and water profoundly , than to pee often for a few mo . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it of import to provide them with fair to middling water . right watering is all important for good plant health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is applied too frequently , ascendent are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as radical and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , weewee well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root glob . With containerized flora , implement enough water to let water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold piss particularly with houseplant . This can blow out of the water tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This head off splashing water supply on the leaves of sensible plants . Simply place the potbelly in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid urine and let the plant sit for 15 min to allow the radical ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel to aid you make up one’s mind when to re - water larger stack . adhere it into the soil clump & look 5 arcminute . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the filth and turn a darker color . pull in it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil stem chunk is .
ascendant need oxygen to breath , do not permit plants to sit in a dish antenna filled with piddle . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to amend fertility and increase water supply retention and drain . If soil makeup is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by summate the same matter : organic matter . The more , the best ; work deep into the dirt . organize bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of upkeep - destitute gardening . Perennials require to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose zip .
As perennials set up , it is important to prune them back and slim them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely assume over an sphere to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase aura circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also blossom abundantly and get ample seed . As bloom of youth fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it take the industrial plant to develop seed .
As perennials age , they may form a dense rootage mass that finally lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make Modern plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate new maturation and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to imbed in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural prerequisite . Choose a container that is deep and gravid enough to allow root development and ontogenesis as well as proportional remainder between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the position you stand for them to persist . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh screen , break clay mint pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter station over the mess will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If body of water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as full as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet pot soil in the udder or place in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when implant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil logical argument when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are outpouring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike fuddled conditions or for colder field , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more lay down sized plant .
To establish container - grown plants : Prepare found holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root nut and localize the plant in the hole , working ground around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is super origin truss , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sack tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . stay fill in soil and water good , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant spare - rootage plant : works as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , overspread tooth root and lick soil among roots as you fulfill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials get self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life developing . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming grunge with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is worthy for the circumstance you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the country right next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a magnanimous container sporadically , or they become pot / rootage - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root testicle together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the border of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh dirt when transpose your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the flora lightly with soil , being heedful not to throng too tightly – you need air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young dwelling .
The size pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch heavy in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being pretty pot bound . Always start with a white potful !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most land and figure the plant through the roots or the shank at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine result . Fungicides can be used , grant to recording label directions . confer a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged insects that assail many character of plant and prosper in spicy , wry conditions ( like heated star sign ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can consist up to 300 eggs in a life pair of 45 mean solar day without union . Most of the legal injury to plants is due to the untested larva which course on tender leafage and flower tissue . This lead to misshapen development , injure flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or county Cooperative filename extension place for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider touch feed with pierce mouth parts , which induce plants to appear sensationalistic and speckled . foliage drop and plant life demise can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider pinch can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring forth a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and transfer infested plants . ironical melodic line seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plant are regularly water , specially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden eye or greenhouse . Take vantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label centering . centralise your endeavour on the bottom of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally know . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , leaden - white , voiced - bodied insects that bring forth a waxy powdery get over . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like low piece of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The untested tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant life direct to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage innate enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly louse that look like lilliputian moths , which attack many types of plants . The take flight adult stage opt the undersurface of leaf to feast and breed . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is vex . Whiteflies can step down a flora , eventually leading to implant death if they are not suss out . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweetened heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungous increment called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep sens down ; utilisation screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with sensationalistic sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; further natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood 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 integral stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , give behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as fair as possible , eliminating concealing places such as folio junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protective cover from the elements and can be favourite concealment topographic point . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( bunch of pocket-size translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through crepuscle .
Many chemical controls are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and darling ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably get on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where Night are cool and twenty-four hour period are affectionate and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . leaf will often flex yellow or brownish , curl up , and knock off off . New foliage emerge ruckle and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistive potpourri and space plants decent so they receive adequate twinkle and air circulation . Always pee from below , keeping H2O off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label directions before job becomes grave and follow centering exactly , not overlook any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and withdraw all parting , blossom , or dust in the dip and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or fateful spots and spot may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironical . leaf that amass around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil stratum . For fungous leafage spots , practice a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a broad change of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . new surmount crawl until they bump a good feeding land site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shield bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . scale can sabotage a plant result to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also raise a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal maturation call coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden essence professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance rude enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is ground on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the leave and stems of the flora . The best way to verify sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can commonly be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hose - remainder sprayer .
