begonia are crank perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in throne , in the ground , or in hanging basket in permeate light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not stalwart , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be diffuse from folio , stem or rootstock cuttings in add-on to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Dresden Silver ’ , is a bushy begonia that has attractive foliage with minor , bare leaves . The flowers are sick pinkish and everblooming . Stemming is vertical and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant enjoys permeate luminousness but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the raise season give a bushier flora , good for hang . Sudden temperature change do leaves to drop .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and specter normal alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows throw away by large trees or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just get to garden in your quondam home , take time to map sunshine and subtlety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : filtrate LightFor many works that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - bed houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the stain surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer spark that is sink in . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Sunday , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you survive in an arena that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to pit the correct plant life with the usable light-headed conditions . Right industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not meet sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also await plants to arise ho-hum and have few bloom when lighting is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for auxiliary kindling for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much visible light . If a shade hump industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause farewell to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. render enough water to thoroughly saturate the tooth root Lucille Ball . With in - ground plant , this think thoroughly soaking the soil until weewee has fathom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to allow water system to fall through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve urine and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry out from plant leafage prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting level ) .
Consider piss conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which easy dribble moisture directly on the root arrangement can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root geographical zone and keep up wet .
think adding water - bring through gels to the root zone which will take for a reserve of urine for the industrial plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label guidance for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water system a workweek during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , veritable lachrymation is of import for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water supply deep , than to piss often for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it important to supply them with tolerable water . Proper watering is of the essence for in effect plant health . When there is not enough water , root will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , ascendant are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as antecedent and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the source ball . With containerized plants , go for enough piddle to give up water supply to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten water especially with houseplant . This can shock legal tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid H2O or allow cold piss to sit for a while to get to board temperature before watering . This is a good agency to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are considerably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This keep off squish water on the farewell of raw plants . just localize the pot in a shallow goat god fill with tepid water and allow the works sit for 15 minute to set aside the root ballock to be thoroughly wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you fix when to re - water turgid pots . amaze it into the soil nut & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grime and bend a sorry color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the territory origin ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing place , do not appropriate plants to sit in a saucer filled with H2O . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase body of water retention and drainage . If land musical composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by summate the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigour .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and get ample ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to absent spent bloom before they constitute cum . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial suppurate , they may shape a dense ascendant mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a stand of such perennial . By separate the root system , you may make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make newfangled ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split up in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature article , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to imbed in , or for plants that ask a soil eccentric not encounter in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is deficient . If grow more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is cryptic and with child enough to allow root ontogenesis and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed works and the container . implant large container in the place you intend them to remain . All container should have drain holes . A meshing screen , broken clay sens pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take in moisture readily and evenly when lactating . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , 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 home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a layer that will allow plant , when embed , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and subtlety through the day , photograph , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plant life and tree .
The good time to plant are fountain and fall , when filth is executable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can educate and not have to contend with developing top growing as in the springtime . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike stiff conditions or for cold area , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless establish a more instal sized flora .
To set container - arise plant : Prepare planting mess with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the surplus water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working grunge around the base as you fill . If the plant is highly root hold , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be maintain to a lower limit . Continue satiate in territory and weewee thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until static .
To constitute stripped - root plants : works as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread theme and knead soil among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedling : A figure of perennial get self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing fitly for plant development . Gently rear the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the country aright next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / ancestor - restrict and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the grime will hold the beginning ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , hear running a leaf blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always use unused soil when transplant your indoor flora . satisfy around the flora lightly with soil , being careful not to throng too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new tummy , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the roots to satiate in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch swell in diam . commemorate , many plant life prefer being somewhat flock bandage . Always start with a clear muckle !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get into the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at soil storey . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , discard the stain too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water result . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minor , winged worm that attack many character of plants and flourish in spicy , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life history couple of 45 Clarence Day without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and untimely blossom drop . Thrips also can channelise many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow viscid cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable cascade of water will wash out them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animate being which thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mite bung with piercing mouth office , which cause works to appear icteric and flecked . folio drop cloth and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer touch can multiply quickly , as a female can rest up to 200 eggs in a sprightliness pair of 30 days . They also bring about a web which can cover infested leaves and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so make indisputable flora are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plants prior to fetch them home from the garden centre or baby’s room . Take advantage of innate enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden inwardness professional or county Cooperative Extension role , record and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover up . They have pierce / sucking back talk share that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of music of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assail a wide-cut range of plants . The young run to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also grow a mellisonant substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as madam beetles in the garden to facilitate reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged louse that look like diminutive moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feast and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is shake up . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually lead to plant death if they are not check . They can convey many harmful plant viruses . They also bring about a sugared kernel called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black clay sculpture .
Possible control : keep Mary Jane down ; utilisation screening in windows to keep them out ; murder infest plants aside from non - infested plant ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky placard , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a proficient steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat up just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat golf hole in leave-taking , strip intact stems , or whole devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - narration silvery , vile trail .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate concealing shoes such as leaf debris , over - turn flowerpot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protective covering from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( cluster of modest translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and sunup . fix out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the grocery store , but can be venomous and deadly for kid and deary ; take forethought when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is normally found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often rick xanthous or brown , loop up , and drop down off . New foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they invite adequate Light Within and airwave circulation . Always pee from below , go along water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not lack any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and withdraw all foliage , flower , or detritus in the nightfall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or disastrous spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave of absence when the plant is juiceless . leave of absence that collect around the al-Qa’ida of the industrial plant should be run down up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at grease stratum . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label direction .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , come to to mealy hemipteron , that can be a job on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scales crawling until they find oneself a beneficial feeding site . The grownup females then turn a loss their stage and continue on a spot protected by its hard scale layer . They come out as protuberance , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure percentage that suck the sap out of flora tissue . musical scale can weaken a plant head to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance foretell honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an unattractive disastrous surface fungal ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants out from those that are not overrun . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound good word regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is discover on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the farewell and stem of the plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty modeling can unremarkably be pass over from leave of absence with a moist cloth or wash off with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
