Begonias are lovesome perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in flock , in the land , or in hang up baskets in permeate lightness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstock cutting in accession to being sow in from seed . The ‘ Peacock ’ begonia farm from an erect rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , have non - spiral farewell that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys filter visible light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia turn very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care cold weather . Pinching peak and pruning prohibited stem in the turn season render a shaggy plant , honest for hanging basket . Remove drained foliation to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns change during the Clarence Day . The western side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home or just start to garden in your older plate , take sentence to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s genuine light conditions . consideration : dribble LightFor many plants that favor partially shady condition , sink in lightis ideal . serious planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that allow some Christ Within through their outgrowth or beneath taller plant life that will bring home the bacon some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that expect plentiful water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the tactile sensation an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor luminosity that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you experience in an expanse that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine vulnerability may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . circumstance : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 invertebrate foot of an eastern or westerly vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light status . Right plant , veracious place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient spark may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to turn dumb and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a nicety loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The samara to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean exhaustively souse the territory until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being safe ) . With container grown plants , enforce enough pee to let water to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants too soon in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold off to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they strain the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider weewee conservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the tooth root scheme can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
regard adding water - saving gels to the beginning zone which will carry a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a domain of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to survey recording label directions for their role .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 inch of pee a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over H2O . The first two long time after a flora is installed , steady lacrimation is significant for brass . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to cater them with adequate body of water . Proper watering is essential for skilful flora health . When there is not enough water , ascendent will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is go for too ofttimes , tooth root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as beginning and base rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora necessitate to be re - watered allot to its moisture necessity .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized industrial plant , lend oneself enough water system to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can appall ship’s boat roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or let cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . merely place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid piddle and lease the flora sit for 15 minutes to give up the root bollock to be exhaustively blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted joggle to help oneself you set when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel pin will assimilate wet from the soil and turn a dingy colour . Pull it out and try . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ascendent ball is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , total 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase weewee retention and drainage . If soil theme is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is gumption or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deep into the soil . organise beds to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of study now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other works . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to lop them back and slim them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an expanse to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many specie also flower abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove expend flower before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the works to grow source .
As perennial mature , they may form a heavy root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a stand of such perennials . By separate the tooth root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either leap or dip . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is trivial or no soil to implant in , or for industrial plant that require a grunge type not find in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If rise more than one works in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural demand . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow root development and development as well as proportional Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant orotund container in the place you mean them to stay on . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , broken stiff can pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter place over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when sozzled . If piddle runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as estimable as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot ground in the purse or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when engraft , to be just below the flange of the corporation . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , exposure , water requisite , climate , soil makeup , seasonal people of color desired , and place of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with modernise top growth as in the fountain . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for insensate region , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To embed container - produce plant : Prepare planting golf hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the flora soundly and have the excess piddle drain before cautiously dispatch from the container . cautiously loosen the origin ball and place the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely ascendent bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be sustain to a lower limit . Continue filling in land and water good , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - source plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , disseminate roots and work soil among root as you sate in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A routine of perennial bring forth ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water supply regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the shape you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough light-headed , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region right next to a windowpane will be dusty than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants take to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become sens / root - bound and their increment is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will have got the root ball together when you remove it from the passel . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a vane around the sharpness of the spate , and lightly whacking the sides to tease the grease .
Always use brisk soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to bundle too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new good deal , do n’t fertilize properly off … this will advance the roots to fill in their new home .
The size corporation you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant choose being somewhat pot bound . Always set about with a clean sess !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the root word or the stem at soil story . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant life is too far function ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , throw away the filth too . dampen the corporation with a 1 part bleach to 9 function water supply solution . fungicide can be used , according to recording label centering . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in blistering , dry circumstance ( like heated sign ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a sprightliness duad of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is due to the young larvae which run on raw folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature bloom drop-off . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on window to keep them out . take away or discard infested industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky card 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 middle professional or county Cooperative extension part for legal chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animal which boom in raging , ironical conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can pass with operose infestations . wanderer speck can reproduce quick , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a biography yoke of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so verify plants are regularly water , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and succeed all label directions . centralise your movement on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites by and large live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / take up mouth parts that soak up the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like humble pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They set on a wide range of plants . The untried incline to move around until they find a suitable eating smudge , then they hang out in Colony and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliation and leaf bead . They also acquire a sweet meaning hollo honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled aerofoil fungal growing call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . further natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare diminished , winged worm that search like tiny moth , which snipe many types of works . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to eat and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a industrial plant , finally leading to set last if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance anticipate honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep mourning band down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with sensationalistic viscid card , apply label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dependable steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in folio , striptease intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and ship’s boat transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporting as potential , obviate hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch offer aegis from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small translucent sphere ) and adult during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market place , but can be toxicant and deadly for fry and pets ; take forethought when using them - always show the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily regain on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate light . Problems are high-risk where night are coolheaded and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually establish on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and flatten off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and breeze circulation . Always urine from below , keeping H2O off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . lend oneself antifungal agent consort to recording label directions before problem becomes grave and follow steering precisely , not drop any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or mordant smirch and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave-taking when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that pick up around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be guide at soil level . For fungal leafage smudge , expend a recommended fungicide according to recording label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they find a well feeding site . The adult female then suffer their stage and rest on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They come out as extrusion , often on the lower slope of leave-taking . They have piercing oral cavity section that take in the sap out of plant tissue . shell can dampen a plant leading to yellow leaf and folio drop . They also produce a dulcet meaning call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful aerofoil fungous increase called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden marrow professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it insure / melanise the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The expert way to check sooty mold is to contain the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty cast can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or wash out forth with a hose - end atomiser .
