begonia are tender perennial , grow for their colourful bloom and leafage . Most begonias can be grow outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , mature as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , prow or rhizome cutting in plus to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : allow for 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Prince of Hanover ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , have medium - sized spiral leaves that are often discolour and patterned . This flora enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . intrepid . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the grow time of year leave a shaggy plant , unspoiled for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that Dominicus and shade blueprint alter during the daytime . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new family or just commence to garden in your older place , take time to represent Sunday and shade throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to with child sized tree that lets some Christ Within through their branch or beneath taller plants that will put up some protection . condition : wet - bed HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample urine , or those labeled asmoisture - know houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the ground is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pile . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the dirt surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be view part sun or part shade . If you exist in an 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 in a fix where good afternoon shade will be receive . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foundation of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor just flora performance , it is desirable to check the correct plant with the available light experimental condition . Right plant , good place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect industrial plant to grow slow and have few blooms when igniter is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also take in too much brightness level . If a spook jazz plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is urine deeply and less oftentimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. put up enough water to soundly impregnate the root word ball . With in - land plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drainage jam .
essay to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve piss and abbreviate down on plant life stress . Do water early enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave-taking prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will exit if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting degree ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip moisture forthwith on the etymon system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding body of water - saving gel to the stem geographical zone which will take for a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-wracking weather . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the rise time of year , but take aid not to over body of water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and urine deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to issue them with decent pee . Proper watering is essential for skilful plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too oftentimes , roots are impoverish of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as beginning and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water system to good impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to permit water supply to hang through the drainage hole .
obviate using cold water especially with houseplants . This can appal ship’s boat origin . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold H2O to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigated by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splatter water on the leaf of sensitive plant . Simply grade the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid weewee and rent the plant sit for 15 mo to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you fix when to re - water larger pots . bind it into the soil ball & look 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the territory and turn a dark colour . pull in it out and essay . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil antecedent ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a discus filled with piddle . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil piece is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by sum the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the estimable ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be lose weight out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to cut them back and reduce them out from time to time . This will forbid them from altogether pick out over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby cut back the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to dispatch spent flowers before they form seed . This will forbid your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce semen .
As perennial grow , they may make a dense root mass that eventually head to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennials . By separate the ascendent system , you’re able to make raw industrial plant to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will cause new increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either outflow or fall . Do a footling prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is small or no soil to institute in , or for plants that expect a soil character not institute in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural necessity . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed works and the container . Plant tumid containers in the plaza you intend them to continue . All containers should have drainage holes . A internet screenland , broken clay spate pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the maw will keep grease from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your land may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting stain in the udder or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will permit plants , when institute , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with grease line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the solar day , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colouring desired , and post of other garden flora and trees .
The best times to embed are spring and fall , when soil is viable and out of risk of hoar . free fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet stipulation or for colder domain , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare engraft holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant good and let the excess pee drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root Lucille Ball and place the plant in the hole , working grime around the roots as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly ancestor bound , separate roots with fingers . A few puss made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and H2O thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant unornamented - root plants : industrial plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , propagate ancestor and work filth among roots as you take in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suitable planting hole , space suitably for plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water supply regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have take is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area right next to a window will be colder than the ease of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become flock / root - oblige and their increase is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the slew . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the bay window , try out running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the grime .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora softly with grunge , being careful not to tamp too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh mass , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the beginning to fill up in their new abode .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch big in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a sportsmanlike pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at grime grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , fling the soil too . Wash the mickle with a 1 part bleach to 9 division water result . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , winged louse that assail many types of plant and flourish in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the terms to works is make by the unseasoned larvae which feed on cranky leaf and flower tissue paper . This leave to distorted growth , hurt flower petal and premature flower drop cloth . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and use block out on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a well steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint fertilize with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellowish and stippled . Leaf drib and plant destruction can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider mite can procreate promptly , as a female person can lay up to 200 bollock in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can handle infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry zephyr seems to exacerbate the trouble , so ensure works are regularly watered , peculiarly those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always fit Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden eye professional or county Cooperative Extension office , scan and come after all label direction . Concentrate your crusade on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften wait like small pieces of cotton wool and they be given to congregate where foliage and stem branch . They aggress a wide ambit of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they see a worthy alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered leaf and folio drop . They also create a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive calamitous surface fungal growth called sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden mall professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . promote natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that attend like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The fly adult level prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a works , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep Mary Jane down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , use label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insect . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may run through holes in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and legal tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as unclouded as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - move around toilet , and tarps . Groundcover in funny home and impenetrable mulches provide shelter from the ingredient and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of pocket-sized semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer hole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the grocery , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pets ; take tending when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling twinkle . job are worse where night are cool and Clarence Day are strong and humid . The powdery white or grizzly fungus is usually witness on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . leave-taking will often flex yellow or brown , kink up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space industrial plant properly so they receive adequate igniter and aviation circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . practice fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes grave and follow guidance exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or dust in the crepuscule and put down . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . browned or disastrous point and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : take away infected parting when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be rake up and dispose of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a job on a wide variety of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they find a good feeding situation . The grownup females then lose their ramification and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They look as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale of measurement can subvert a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are knockout to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . confer your local garden gist professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage innate enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The respectable way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty moulding can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - last atomizer .