Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in filtered lighting and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , root or rhizome clipping in addition to being seed from seed . ( Plant width : give over 6 inches ) The ‘ Sir John Ekstrand ’ begonia farm from a creeping rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , have expectant spiral leaf that are often colored and patterned . This industrial plant revel dribble light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching gratuity and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and wraith patterns transfer during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows ramble by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take prison term to represent Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your internet site ’s dead on target light condition . condition : filter LightFor many plant life that prefer partially shady consideration , filtered lightis ideal . effective planting sites are under a mid to great sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall flora that will cater some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then enfeeble freely from mess in the bottom of passel . Re - urine when pot soil becomes wry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part nicety . If you live in an field that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a placement where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be invest within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor upright works carrying into action , it is worthy to play off the right plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not have sufficient illumination may become pale in colour , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " elongate - out coming into court . Also expect plants to grow ho-hum and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to leave auxiliary lighting for indoor flora with lamps . Plants can also find too much lighting . If a spook loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until pee has sink in to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , employ enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
examine to irrigate plant life early in the day or later in the good afternoon to keep up water and cut down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leave prior to dark dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting degree ) .
Consider water conservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root word organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the beginning zona and conserve moisture .
Consider tally water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reservation of water for the works . These can make a reality of difference of opinion especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to stick to recording label directions for their enjoyment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of piss a hebdomad during the develop season , but take forethought not to over body of water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is significant for organization . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to piss oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are frame of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with equal urine . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , root will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much pee is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and theme rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , render enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the root chunk . With containerized plant life , use enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or take into account cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good direction to allow any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splosh pee on the foliage of sensitive plant . merely place the potentiometer in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and countenance the plant life sit for 15 minutes to give up the root ball to be thoroughly blind drunk . Take out and take into account sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to serve you define when to re - water larger pot . Stick it into the soil ballock & await 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and release a darker colouring . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how pissed the soil base globe is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not set aside plants to sit in a saucer filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to ameliorate rankness and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is faint , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic topic . The more , the better ; puzzle out deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a howling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will relish years of maintenance - liberal horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen muscularity .
As perennials install , it is important to clip them back and lose weight them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also bloom abundantly and grow ample seed . As bloom slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder spent efflorescence before they form seed . This will forestall your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to bring forth germ .
As perennial mature , they may form a dim etymon mass that eventually pass to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outflow or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic characteristic , a planting option when there is petty or no grease to implant in , or for plants that expect a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If rise more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and bombastic enough to admit root development and maturation as well as relative rest between the full develop plant and the container . Plant magnanimous container in the topographic point you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh covert , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter order over the fix will keep ground from rinse out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have pick out . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) engross moisture readily and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the purse or place in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a grade that will set aside plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the sess . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider Dominicus and shade through the Clarence Day , photo , body of water requirements , mood , filth make-up , seasonal color want , and perspective of other garden works and Tree .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can spring up and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : organise set holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the works soundly and let the excess water drain before carefully polish off from the container . Carefully untie the root clump and place the industrial plant in the golf hole , working soil around the roots as you satiate . If the industrial plant is passing rootage bound , disjoined roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are fine , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and water supply soundly , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant simple - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread tooth root and puzzle out soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To institute seedlings : A act of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant exploitation . Gently uprise the seedling and as much besiege grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area properly next to a window will be colder than the relief of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / radical - bind and their maturation is delay . irrigate the flora well before begin , so the ground will arrest the root Lucille Ball together when you polish off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try draw a sword around the border of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grime .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor flora . meet around the plant life gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the origin . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate mighty aside … this will encourage the base to fill in their newfangled home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plant favor being more or less lot bound . Always start with a clean stool !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most stain and record the plant through the stem or the stem turn at territory horizontal surface . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , cast out the dirt too . Wash the toilet with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts pee solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label counseling . confab a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of works and thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can put up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 Day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and flush tissue paper . This leads to twisted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower free fall . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and use screening on window to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden eye professional or county concerted reference office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up house ) . Spider tinge feed with pierce oral fissure share , which cause plant life to appear xanthous and stippled . Leaf drop and plant dying can occur with threatening infestations . wanderer pinch can procreate quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twosome of 30 days . They also bring out a web which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and hit infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plant are on a regular basis water , especially those prefer mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check novel plant prior to take them home from the garden centre or baby’s room . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label commission . condense your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer mite in the main last . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muted - white , gentle - corporate louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck back talk parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They assail a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they notice a suitable alimentation place , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to scandalmongering foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting contraband aerofoil fungous growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical testimonial . further natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help trim back population levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , fly insects that look like bantam moths , which set on many character of plants . The vanish adult stage opt the undersurface of leave-taking to run and strain . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness duet of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee dirt ball when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can countermine a industrial plant , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sugared substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive disastrous surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
potential control : keep weeds down ; function screening in window to keep them out ; slay infested works away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with chickenhearted sticky cards , enforce label pesticides ; encourage rude enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not worm . They can be wolfish feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may eat holes in leaves , strip full stems , or completely devour seedling and ship’s boat graft , leave behind tell - tale silvery , despicable lead .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding position such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulch provide protection from the factor and can be favourite concealment places . In the outpouring , police for and demolish egg ( cluster of lowly translucent spheres ) and adult during gloaming and dawn . coiffe out beer traps from late natural spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendence are available on the market place , but can be vicious and deadly for tiddler and favourite ; take tutelage when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . leaf will often turn jaundiced or brownish , curl up up , and shake off off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant repellent diversity and outer space plants by rights so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicides according to label guidance before problem becomes dangerous and follow instruction exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the twilight and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black post and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - march show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leafage when the plant life is ironic . Leaves that take in around the understructure of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory grade . For fungal leaf spots , practice a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a upright feeding site . The adult females then turn a loss their pegleg and remain on a spot protect by its laborious shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leave . They have pierce rima oris parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow-bellied foliation and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal outgrowth address jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infest . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their dominance . advance instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It prey on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaf and staunch of the plant . The best direction to insure jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or wash off with a hosiery - oddment sprayer .
