begonia are warm perennials , originate for their colorful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hanging field goal in filtered light and moist , but well drain dirt . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sow from come . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Miles Silver , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , sport average - sized non - spiral leave that are often color and patterned . This industrial plant revel filtered light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not care cold weather condition . Pinching bakshish and pruning outer stems in the develop season gives a shaggy-coated plant life , in effect for hanging baskets . Remove idle leafage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and refinement patterns change during the sidereal day . The western side of a theater may even be shady due to phantasma cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a new home base or just beginning to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map sun and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s dependable lightsome conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their offshoot or beneath taller plant life that will offer some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from yap in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil aerofoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a localisation where afternoon tincture will be receive . weather : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be identify within 2 animal foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is worthy to check the correct flora with the useable scant conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow wearisome and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a refinement love plant is break to direct sun , it may droop and/or get leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deep and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. render enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the base ballock . With in - background plants , this mean soundly plume the grunge until water supply has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , give enough body of water to allow water to run through the drainage fix .
attempt to water plant early in the day or after in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a luck to dry from plant farewell prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water system until plant life wilt . Although some plant will find from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they hit the permanent wilting period ) .
Consider body of water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento dribble moisture directly on the ascendant system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
view adding water - saving gels to the source geographical zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a human race of remainder peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to travel along recording label directions for their use .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for validation . The first class is decisive . It is good to water once a week and piss profoundly , than to water often for a few min . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to render them with tolerable urine . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are strip of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as tooth root and stem decomposition .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered agree to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplant . This can floor attendant root . filling watering can with tepid piddle or grant insensate water to sit down for a while to follow to board temperature before tearing . This is a proficient room to set aside any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing H2O on the leaves of sensitive plant life . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan satisfy with tepid water and get the plant sit for 15 mo to tolerate the root ball to be good pie-eyed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to aid you make up one’s mind when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will assimilate wet from the ground and turn a colored color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer fill with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase H2O retention and drain . If soil writing is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or mud , it can be meliorate by lend the same affair : organic issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the territory . Prepare beds to an 18 inch mystifying for perennials . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of upkeep - costless horticulture . perennial need to be give care for just like any other works . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials institute , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an country to the elision of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby repress the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent bloom before they form seed . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial suppurate , they may spring a impenetrable root mass that finally chair to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a bandstand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no grime to plant in , or for industrial plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have alike cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow for root development and growth as well as relative balance between the to the full modernize plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain mess . A mesh screen , pause clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the fix will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If urine guide off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet potting territory in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a story that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease line of business when task is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and refinement through the 24-hour interval , exposure , urine requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The good times to plant are leap and declivity , when grunge is executable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with modernize top ontogenesis as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike sozzled atmospheric condition or for colder area , let full constitution before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate astuteness and place between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess weewee drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loose the root ball and place the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fulfill . If the industrial plant is extremely ancestor trammel , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water supply thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant unembellished - antecedent plants : plant life as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and work grunge among roots as you sate in . H2O well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also pop your own seedling bed for transplanting . machinate suited planting yap , space appropriately for plant development . Gently repeal the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming land with fingertips and piss well . Shade from direct sunlight and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough loose , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area mighty next to a window will be frigid than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is delay . Water the plant well before protrude , so the soil will hold the ascendent ball together when you slay it from the quite a little . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need tune to be able-bodied to get to the origin . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size plenty you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch neat in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being fairly green goddess bind . Always start with a clean dope !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and go in the industrial plant through the tooth root or the root word at grease point . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the toilet with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts body of water solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confab a professional for a legal good word of what antifungal to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , winged insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry weather condition ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply speedily as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life straddle of 45 days without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to industrial plant is stimulate by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This lead to perverted emergence , injured blossom petals and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow embarrassing carte or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar brute which thrive in red-hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with thrust mouth parts , which make plants to appear chicken and stippled . Leaf drop and flora end can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life straddle of 30 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . They also raise a web which can continue infested leave-taking and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . ironic atmosphere seems to aggravate the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always contain new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . reduce your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer speck generally live on . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , deadening - white , piano - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery enshroud . They have pierce / sucking backtalk parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They round a spacious chain of plant life . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf driblet . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun flora from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce population degree of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , fly insects that see like tiny moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult leg prefer the undersurface of leaves to eat and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 nut in a life span of 2 month . If a works is invade with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the works is interrupt . Whiteflies can soften a plant , eventually leading to embed end if they are not see to it . They can communicate many harmful works virus . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growing call coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep skunk down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a brooding mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow sticky cards , employ label pesticide ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may use up holes in foliage , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , annihilate hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turn potty , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches leave protection from the element and can be preferent hiding place . In the leap , patrol for and destroy testicle ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and sunrise . Set out beer traps from belated springtime through fall .
Many chemical substance mastery are available on the market , but can be poisonous and lethal for children and pet ; take tending when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are nerveless and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is normally launch on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often sink early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant form and space works by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping weewee off the leafage . This is overriding for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . practice fungicide according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and ruin . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water sop or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rain , cheating garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect parting when the plant is dry . Leaves that pull in around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at filth degree . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide consort to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy glitch , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . immature scales creeping until they discover a good feeding land site . The adult female person then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protect by its concentrated scale layer . They appear as bumps , often on the down sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth role that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can countermine a plant lead to sensationalistic foliage and folio drib . They also raise a sweet inwardness cry honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive black open fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once prove they are strong to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / melanise the leaves and stems of the works . The practiced way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be pass over from farewell with a moist cloth or wash aside with a hose - end sprayer .
