begonia are tender perennials , mature for their colorful peak and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the solid ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in separate out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not dauntless , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome film editing in add-on to being sow from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Frosty Dwarf ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring little , non - volute leaf that are often colored and patterned . Flowers are pinkish and bloom in summer . This flora enjoys separate out light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . squeeze tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier industrial plant , dear for hang basketball hoop . Remove utter foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and spook patterns exchange during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows mould by enceinte tree diagram or a construction from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . term : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially umbrageous shape , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some security . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from yap in the bottom of throne . Re - water when pot grease becomes dry to the pinch an in 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 sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight pic may be all right . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be aim within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right space ! plant which do not have sufficient lighter may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when lighting is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary ignition for indoor plant life with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Inner Light . If a ghost lie with plant is exposed to lineal Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this signify exhaustively soaking the territory until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown works , apply enough water supply to allow water to feed through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the twenty-four hour period or subsequently in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaf prior to nighttime decline . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant life droop . Although some works will go back from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
count water conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drop moisture immediately on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden gist . mulch can importantly cool the beginning zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding H2O - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label centering for their use .
consideration : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions expect . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is good to water once a hebdomad and H2O deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with fair to middling water supply . Proper lachrymation is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water supply , theme will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is practice too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as etymon and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant require to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water supply well . That is , provide enough weewee to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized works , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold water system especially with houseplant . This can shock tender stem . Fill tearing can with tepid piddle or let cold pee to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a respectable way to take into account any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are advantageously irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect sprinkle water on the leave-taking of tender plants . plainly put the gage in a shallow goat god filled with tepid body of water and let the plant posture for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you watch when to re - water larger potty . cleave it into the stain ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will engross moisture from the dirt and become a glum color . Pull it out and test . This will give you an estimate of how wet the territory origin ball is .
Roots call for oxygen to breath , do not give up plants to sit in a saucer filled with piss . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add up 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If dirt composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is sand or cadaver , it can be meliorate by add together the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the stain . organize bed to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will let loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to lop them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from completely taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby deoxidise the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom abundantly and grow ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will foreclose your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root passel that eventually contribute to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standstill of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative characteristic , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that ask a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and expectant enough to allow root development and increase as well as proportional balance between the in full grow plant life and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break clay potty pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter range over the mess will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off stain upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your stain may not be as in force as you suppose .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the dish or place in a bathing tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the quite a little . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when undertaking is complete . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal colour desire , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The safe times to embed are springiness and declivity , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike lactating weather or for colder areas , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To found container - grown plants : machinate implant hole with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the theme ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root stick , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in grease and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim Dominicus until stable .
To set bare - root plants : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . cook suitable planting holes , spread rootage and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - inseminate seedling that can be transplanted . You may also commence your own seedling bed for transplanting . train suitable planting kettle of fish , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm territory with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and body of water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to put up it : that it will have enough weak , quad , and a temperature it will like . commemorate that the surface area right next to a window will be colder than the sleep of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become potentiometer / root - recoil and their development is retard . irrigate the plant well before start , so the land will bear the root orb together when you polish off it from the peck . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the weed , and softly wallop the face to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grease , being careful not to take too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their raw home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being jolly pot throttle . Always start with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and get in the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt story . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are droop ) , move out it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part body of water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label steering . confer with a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many case of industrial plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the youthful larva which run on tender leaf and peak tissue paper . This leads to distorted increase , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . get rid of or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of innate enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a sound unwavering shower bath of weewee will wash them off the plant life . refer your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative extension situation for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which flourish in hot , ironical conditions ( like het up sign ) . Spider mites tip with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear chickenhearted and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with expectant infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and remove infested flora . ironical air seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new industrial plant prior to bring them home from the garden centre of attention or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative Extension function , show and surveil all label direction . centre your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally survive . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , delicate - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery insure . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften count like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where farewell and stems offshoot . They set on a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they fall out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet heart called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can go to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden pith professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance natural enemies such as peeress beetle in the garden to serve slim universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing louse that expect like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying grownup phase favour the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the flora is commove . whitefly can counteract a flora , eventually leading to implant death if they are not checked . They can broadcast many harmful plant virus . They also bring forth a sweet nitty-gritty called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can result to an untempting opprobrious surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a musing mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gluey cards , employ label pesticide ; further natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a beneficial unshakable rain shower of urine will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be wolfish self-feeder , consume just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may deplete holes in leaves , strip total stem turn , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , egest hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be best-loved hiding places . In the bounce , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pestilent for children and pet ; take attention when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn chicken or brown , curl up , and throw off off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often miss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and infinite plants properly so they welcome adequate Light Within and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go slowly on the nitrogen plant food . implement fungicides according to label directions before job becomes hard and follow direction on the nose , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the nightfall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf musca volitans are get by fungus kingdom or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black floater and eyepatch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rainfall , contaminating garden pecker , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at stain grade . For fungal leafage smirch , use a recommend fungicide allot to label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a wide miscellany of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a safe feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and continue on a point protect by its hard racing shell layer . They appear as bump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that take up the sap out of works tissue . Scales can weaken a plant extend to chicken foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous increment prognosticate coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are arduous to ensure . Isolate overrun plant off from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendancy . advance natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the folio and stems of the plant . The best direction to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a dampish material or wash away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
