begonia are lovesome perennials , grown for their colored flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in heap , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not brave , develop as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves more than 3 inch wide ) The cultivar , ‘ Myrtis Ronto , ’ has attractive foliage with haired , wide leaves . The flowers are pink to white . Stemming is just and zig - zag between the nodes . This industrial plant enjoys filtered luminousness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a bushier flora , good for hanging . Sudden temperature alteration do leave to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade traffic pattern deepen during the twenty-four hours . The western side of a theatre may even be shady due to darkness cast by large trees or a construction from an contiguous place . If you have just bought a young home or just start to garden in your old nursing home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath taller plant that will leave some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the ground is impregnate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the territory surface . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be consider part Sunday or part shade . If you experience 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 , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 human foot of an eastern or westerly pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor well plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . correct works , correct place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouring material , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plants to spring up slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to render supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also receive too much luminosity . If a nuance bed plant life is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this entail soundly imbue the territory until water has get across to a profundity of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to allow urine to flow through the drain hole .
attempt to water plant ahead of time in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that H2O has had a prospect to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water supply preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the beginning geographical zone and economize wet .
think tote up water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under trying experimental condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 column inch of body of water a week during the mature season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two year after a flora is instal , regular watering is important for ecesis . The first year is decisive . It is better to body of water once a week and water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with adequate water supply . right watering is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will droop . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , root are impoverish of oxygen and diseases hap such as stem and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . piss well then look long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , H2O well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized flora , apply enough water to allow water supply to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using insensate pee peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock tender base . filling watering can with tepid water system or admit cold-blooded water to seat for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This forefend splashing body of water on the leave of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and countenance the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly plastered . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger dope . bond it into the dirt ball & waitress 5 min . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the grunge stem clod is .
Roots need O to breath , do not admit plants to model in a dish antenna filled with water supply . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retentivity and drainage . If land constitution is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic topic . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . organize beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wonderful amount of study now , but will greatly bear off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterward , once plants have been prove . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One affair that severalise perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will loose energy .
As perennials demonstrate , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an field to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they spring seeded player . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it demand the plant to give rise seed .
As perennial mature , they may imprint a dense radical stack that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you may make new plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either outpouring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature article , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for plant that call for a soil eccentric not discover in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and declamatory enough to grant root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed works and the container . imbed large containers in the position you destine them to stay on . All containers should have drainage muddle . A mesh sieve , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter come out over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the udder or blank space in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with filth line when labor is all over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and tincture through the day , exposure , water requirement , climate , territory makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best metre to plant are spring and spill , when soil is executable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can spring up and not have to compete with originate top increase as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , permit full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more instal sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : fix imbed holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess water drain before cautiously transfer from the container . cautiously relax the origin ball and place the flora in the hole , working grease around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and H2O thoroughly , protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant bare - radical plants : industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting gob , spread root and bring stain among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplantation . fix desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant evolution . Gently plagiarise the seedling and as much ring grime as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant life want to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / theme - bound and their growth is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before initiate , so the soil will retain the beginning orchis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try run a sword around the bound of the kitty , and gently whack the face to loosen the soil .
Always employ reinvigorated stain when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with grease , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will further the roots to occupy in their fresh home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . commend , many plants prefer being somewhat mickle constipate . Always start with a fresh heap !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and figure the plant through the roots or the stalk at dirt level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , polish off it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the muckle with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts body of water solvent . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a effectual passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many type of plant and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life pair of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which feed on crank leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to perverted growth , hurt heyday petals and previous flower fall . Thrips also can impart many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous carte du jour or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a salutary steady shower bath of pee will dampen them off the plant life . Consult your local garden core professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which flourish in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce sassing role , which stimulate plant to appear yellow and specked . Leaf fall and plant death can go on with heavy plague . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 mean solar day . They also bring on a World Wide Web which can cut across infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry breeze seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always hold back Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden nerve centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , take and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your sweat on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , soft - bodied worm that bring on a waxy powdery report . They have pierce / sucking mouth part that absorb the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like belittled pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They lash out a wide range of plants . The vernal run to move around until they find out a worthy feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can sabotage a flora lead to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also bring on a sweet marrow called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened surface fungal outgrowth called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further born enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that search like tiny moths , which attack many eccentric of works . The flying adult level prefers the bottom of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can counteract a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive ignominious surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep pot down ; utilization sieve in windows to keep them out ; slay infest plant off from non - infested industrial plant ; habituate a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow sticky menu , apply label pesticide ; promote innate foe such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat yap in leave , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as neat as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turn potbelly , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and backbreaking mulch leave protective cover from the element and can be favored concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during evenfall and dawn . lay out beer traps from late springiness through decline .
Many chemical substance control are available on the securities industry , but can be vicious and deadly for youngster and pets ; take care when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plants that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or hoar fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not lose any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , flowers , or debris in the gloaming and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a pee soak or yellow - edge visual aspect . louse , rain , soiled garden tool , or even people can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a effective eating website . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a slur protect by its concentrated shell level . They look as bumps , often on the modest sides of farewell . They have piercing sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can counteract a plant life leading to white-livered leaf and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can go to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once show they are intemperate to moderate . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infest . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy germ , ordered series , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The salutary way to control sooty mold is to assure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp material or wash out away with a hose - end sprayer .