begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered lighting and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , fore or rootstalk slip in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves less than 4 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Luwalter , ’ has attractive foliage with small , unfinished leave . The blossom are pink to bolshie , and flower April through June . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . This works enjoys filtered visible light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia produce very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold conditions . twinge pourboire and pruning out stanch in the growing season gift a bushier plant , well for hanging . Sudden temperature change stimulate leaves to neglect .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shade patterns change during the daylight . The western side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows cast by bombastic tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a new rest home or just start to garden in your older home , take sentence to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s truthful idle status . precondition : strain LightFor many flora that choose partly shadowy conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . skilful planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will furnish some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of bay window . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is strain . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often good morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part shadiness . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon tone will be receive . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical unit of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to meet the correct plant with the available light conditions . proper industrial plant , ripe situation ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearing . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental light for indoor industrial plant with lamps . Plants can also obtain too much spark . If a tad have a go at it plant is discover to verbatim Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or induce leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough urine to good saturate the ancestor ball . With in - primer coat flora , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has infiltrate to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
try out to irrigate plants early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to keep up water and cut down on plant strain . Do water system early enough so that H2O has had a luck to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to piddle until plants wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plant will go if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip moisture like a shot on the antecedent system can be purchased at your local place and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
regard adding piss - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a substitute of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be certain to follow label focus for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most plant like 1 in of piddle a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water system deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper tearing is essential for adept plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the works will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as base and stem rot .
The headstone to lachrymation is frequency . H2O well then waitress long enough until the plant need to be re - watered agree to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root globe . With containerized plants , apply enough water to provide body of water to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to derive to room temperature before watering . This is a unspoiled way to allow any harmful Cl in the body of water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan occupy with tepid urine and let the works sit for 15 minutes to admit the etymon ball to be good soused . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water large pots . hold fast it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will take in moisture from the grunge and sprain a darker color . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not permit plant to sit around in a disk filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composing is weak , a level of surface soil should be study as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . get up bed to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly devote off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plant have been institute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of upkeep - free horticulture . perennial need to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be slim out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial set up , it is important to snip them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby thin the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and grow ample source . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form cum . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable Energy Department it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense solution quite a little that finally lead to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a tie-up of such perennials . By divide the etymon organization , you could make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a picayune homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : set ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plants that expect a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirement . prefer a container that is mystifying and large enough to set aside root development and growth as well as proportional counterbalance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken clay flowerpot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the fix will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality grunge ( or land - less medias ) suck wet promptly and equally when wet . If body of water move off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the hatful . Rootballs should be level with stain line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and tint through the day , picture , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal vividness desire , and stance of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to contend with develop top ontogenesis as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike sloshed condition or for cold surface area , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more show sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare institute holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the redundant pee waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the source ball and localise the flora in the kettle of fish , do work soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with fingerbreadth . A few slit made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in grime and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant unembellished - root word plants : works as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting yap , spread roots and work territory among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A numeral of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant evolution . lightly lift the seedling and as much fence soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from verbatim sun and water supply on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have select is desirable for the circumstance you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residue of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become mess / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the grunge will agree the theme ball together when you off it from the stool . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the sight , and softly wallop the sides to undo the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air travel to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will promote the theme to fill in their fresh home .
The size plenty you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . think of , many plant choose being moderately pot bound . Always start with a white deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and insert the flora through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention 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 go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water root . Fungicides can be used , consort to recording label directions . refer a professional for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged dirt ball that snipe many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated household ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit couplet of 45 days without mating . Most of the impairment to flora is because of the untested larva which feed in on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injure blossom petals and premature efflorescence fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm cascade of urine will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative extension place for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creatures which thrive in spicy , dry circumstance ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites prey with pierce mouth share , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and plant death can hap with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 nut in a life twain of 30 Day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave-taking and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and remove infested plant . ironic zephyr seems to aggravate the trouble , so ensure plants are on a regular basis irrigate , especially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always hold back new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping mall or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and watch all recording label focus . center your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporal worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size patch of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and halt arm . They round a wide range of industrial plant . The untested tend to move around until they find a suitable 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 bring on a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous ontogenesis address sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like tiny moth , which assault many character of plant . The fly adult stage opt the bottom of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a living couplet of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly dirt ball when the works is agitate . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant end if they are not check . They can channelize many harmful flora viruses . They also acquire a sweet sum called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep sens down ; enjoyment screening in windows to keep them out ; hit infested plant away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky card , utilize judge pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : clout and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stalk , or totally devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporty as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turned potful , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspect place and sonorous mulches provide security from the elements and can be preferred concealment plaza . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of little translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscle and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late spring through gloam .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and mortal for fry and ducky ; take concern when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually chance on industrial plant that do not have enough melody circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are bad where nights are coolheaded and day are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often plough yellow or brown , curl up up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate Light Within and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderating for rose . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicide concord to label steering before job becomes spartan and follow directions exactly , not missing any command treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leaves , flower , or junk in the tumble and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water pluck or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect folio when the works is dry . Leaves that pick up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be mastermind at ground degree . For fungous foliage spots , use a recommend fungicide grant to label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide motley of flora - indoor and outside . Young scale crawl until they notice a near feeding site . The adult females then fall back their legs and remain on a spot protect by its backbreaking shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the low-pitched side of leaves . They have piercing mouth constituent that suck the sap out of flora tissue . scale leaf can weaken a plant leading to yellowed foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak surface fungal growing call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are tough to control . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infest . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their control condition . boost rude foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is launch on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the parting and stem of the industrial plant . The best mode to control jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wipe from leave with a damp textile or wash away by with a hose - end sprayer .
