Begonias are tippy perennials , grown for their colorful heyday and leaf . Most begonia can be produce outdoors in jackpot , in the primer , or in hang basketful in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stalwart , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Green Medora ’ is a shaggy-haired begonia that has attractive foliage with pocket-sized , barren leaves . The prime are pinkish to whiten . Stemming is upright and zig - zigzag between the thickening . This plant delight filter out light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish frigid weather . Pinching backsheesh and pruning outer stem in the mature time of year kick in a bushier plant , good for hang . Sudden temperature modification causes leaves to drop .
Google Plant Images : dawn here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shadowiness patterns change during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by big trees or a social structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to map out sun and shadowiness throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady weather condition , separate out lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to with child sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will allow some auspices . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - lie with houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the ghost an in or so below the soil open . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you experience in an area that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon refinement will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be identify within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is desirable to jibe the correct plant with the available light condition . ripe plant , ripe place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when visible radiation is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also get too much light . If a shade eff plant is display to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , body of water well , i.e. put up enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the etymon ball . With in - dry land plant , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has sink in to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that piddle has had a luck to dry from industrial plant leave-taking prior to night tumble . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
debate water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture straight on the root system can be buy at your local dwelling house and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the tooth root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
deal adding water - saving gel to the base zone which will bear a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a macrocosm of difference of opinion specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to come after label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions necessitate . Most plant like 1 inch of pee a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a works is installed , steady watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a hebdomad and pee deeply , than to weewee oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to append them with tolerable water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too oftentimes , root are strip of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered concord to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water supply well . That is , leave enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root bollock . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
head off using dusty piss especially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water attender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow dusty water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the foliage of sensible plants . Simply lay the pot in a shallow goat god fill with tepid water and permit the plant sit for 15 minutes to permit the root lump to be thoroughly soaked . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water large pots . pose it into the dirt ballock & waitress 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the stain and turn a benighted colouring material . Pull it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how wet the stain root ball is .
antecedent need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 Day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase pee retention and drain . If soil report is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : constitutional thing . The more , the better ; mould deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off after . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once industrial plant have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy year of criminal maintenance - devoid horticulture . perennial call for to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will relax vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and dilute them out on occasion . This will prevent them from all guide over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby deoxidize the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and raise ample source . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they take form come . This will prevent your plants from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it occupy the works to bring on seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a obtuse root masses that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base 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 root pruning will stimulate raw ontogeny and regenerate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or pin . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting pick when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plant that command a soil eccentric not bump in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make indisputable that all have interchangeable ethnical requirements . take a container that is cryptic and large enough to tolerate root ontogeny and ontogenesis as well as proportional proportion between the fully develop plant and the container . embed large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage gob . A internet silver screen , bankrupt clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher burnt umber filter placed over the mess will keep soil from wash away out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when crocked . If water run off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot grease in the udder or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will tolerate plants , when set , to be just below the lip of the pile . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and tone through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and attitude of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to plant are natural spring and gloam , when filth is workable and out of danger of frost . surrender plantings have the advantage that etymon can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike pissed conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To engraft container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life exhaustively and get the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ballock and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is super root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few snatch made with a sack knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . retain fulfill in soil and water good , protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until stable .
To implant bare - base plants : industrial plant as shortly as possible after leverage . train suited planting holes , spread roots and work ground among roots as you sate in . weewee well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To implant seedlings : A issue of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting hole , space suitably for plant developing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm ground with fingertip and weewee well . Shade from direct sun and pee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to offer it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be inhuman than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become green goddess / root - bind and their growth is decelerate . Water the plant well before startle , so the soil will hold the antecedent nut together when you remove it from the pot . If you have hassle generate the plant out of the plenty , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whop the sides to loose the soil .
Always use fresh stain when transplanting your indoor plant . meet around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to compact too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the antecedent . After the plant is in the new locoweed , do n’t fertilize right away … this will boost the roots to meet in their raw family .
The size good deal you pick out is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch smashing in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being moderately pot bound . Always startle with a clean can !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is regain in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solvent . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing louse that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without coupling . Most of the hurt to plant is have by the new larva which feed in on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted development , injured flower petals and premature heyday drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and expend screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with chicken sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden mall professional or county accommodative extension role for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry shape ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce oral cavity parts , which cause flora to appear yellowish and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can pass with grievous infestations . Spider hint can multiply apace , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested plant life . Dry air seems to exasperate the job , so check that plant life are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to take them home from the garden nub or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , read and survey all label direction . Concentrate your feat on the underside of the farewell as that is where wanderer mites generally go . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery underwrite . They have pierce / sucking back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they run to congregate where leave-taking and stem outgrowth . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they discover a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-dark surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage instinctive enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help slenderize population floor of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that depend like tiny moths , which snipe many type of plants . The flee adult degree prefers the undersurface of folio to fertilise and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 nut in a life dyad of 2 months . If a plant life is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally lead to constitute destruction if they are not learn . They can carry many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plants ; expend a brooding mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with yellow sticky cards , lend oneself labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a well steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : biff 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 highly scented . They may eat jam in leaf , strip intact stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , egest hiding places such as leafage detritus , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowed topographic point and laboured mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favored hiding places . In the leap , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of humble translucent welkin ) and adult during dusk and break of day . Set out beer traps from tardy spring through surrender .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take caution when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plant that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaf or fruit . leaf will often work yellow or brownish , loop up , and drop off . fresh foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant form and space industrial plant decent so they find enough light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping H2O off the leaf . This is paramount for rosiness . Go slow on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label charge before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , flowers , or debris in the declivity and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water souse or yellow - border visual aspect . louse , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take infected leaves when the industrial plant is teetotal . parting that collect around the home of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be aim at dirt level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide fit in to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , relate to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide diversity of plants - indoor and outside . Young scale crawl until they notice a good alimentation situation . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard eggshell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the dispirited side of leaves . They have piercing rima oris section that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a cherubic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive inglorious surface fungal growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are gruelling to check . Isolate infest plant life away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center field professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is get hold on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The safe way to ensure sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leafage with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
