Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in heap , in the priming , or in hanging baskets in strain light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be disseminate from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in improver to being seed from semen . This magniloquent , upright begonia has pink weeping flowers and lobed , wavy , ovate leaves that are silver fleck . It blooms in summer through pin . The stem turn is cane - like with evenly spaced nodes . This flora bask filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that Dominicus and shade pattern vary during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows puke by orotund trees or a bodily structure from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a raw dwelling house or just set about to garden in your older house , take time to map Lord’s Day and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s genuine light-headed conditions . weather condition : separate out LightFor many plant that prefer partially shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . salutary planting sites are under a mid to heavy sized tree diagram that permit some luminosity through their branches or beneath taller plants that will render some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the develop geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a mature sales booth of trees or shadow draw by a house or construction . Plants that ask full shade are unremarkably susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree may pose additional problem ; not only is there no sparkle , but competition for water system , nutrients and root space .
fond shademeans that an area receives filtered clean , often through tall branches of an open growing tree . Root rival is usually less . Partial spectre can also be achieved by locate a plant life beneath an mandril or lathe - similar structure . umbrageous sides of a building are ordinarily the northern or northeast sides . These sides also incline to be a fiddling cooler . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full Sunday or some sun in cooler climates to postulate some shade in tender climates due to stress placed on the flora from reduced moisture and excessive heating system . Conditions : Moisture - jazz HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from fix in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot grease becomes ironical to the touch an inch or so below the grunge surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a untried industrial plant to promote fork . Doing this avoid the need for more life-threatening pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up the inside of a industrial plant to rent more light in and to increase air travel circulation that can cut down on works disease . The best way to begin cutting is to begin by removing dead or pathological woodwind .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shears . This is done to asseverate the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
regenerate is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original figure and size . It is commend that you do not off more than one third of a flora at a time . think back to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that flora will have a more born flavor . atmospheric condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical unit of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is worthy to match the correct works with the available light experimental condition . correct industrial plant , right station ! flora which do not receive sufficient Inner Light may become pale in color , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " load - out appearance . Also wait plants to acquire slower and have fewer flush when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . works can also pick up too much light . If a shade have it away plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or have leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the problem is only on the airfoil , it mayhap diverted to a drainage ditch . If drain is poor where water table is high , set up an hugger-mugger drain scheme . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drains already survive , check to see if they are block .
French drain are another pick . Gallic drains are ditches that have been take with gravel . It is fine to plant sodomist on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good answer where looks are n’t as significant , intend of the French drainpipe as a ditch fill with crushed rock . Ditches should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have sloping sides .
A soakway is a gravel filled pit where water system is divert to via underground pipes . This form well on sites that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and thick and occupy with gravel or crushed I. F. Stone , topped with George Sand and sod or seed .
Keep in judgment that it is illegal to disport water supply onto other masses ’s property . If you do not find that you’re able to implement a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most water witting garden appreciates the proper hose , watering can or wand .
The key to watering is H2O deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this imply thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water supply to countenance water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
essay to water plants ahead of time in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night descent . This is overriding 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 pall if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider urine preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drop wet straight on the radical organisation can be purchased at your local place and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and husband wet .
count adding water - saving gels to the stem zone which will view as a stockpile of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of piddle a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two class after a industrial plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for institution . The first year is critical . It is good to pee once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to append them with enough water . Proper tearing is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too oft , beginning are strip of atomic number 8 and disease hap such as source and stem putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water harmonize to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , allow for enough water system to thoroughly saturate the radical ball . With containerized plant , lend oneself enough water to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock legal tender roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid H2O or allow stale water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a undecomposed way to allow for any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sore plants . just set the mess in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to set aside the antecedent clod to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to assist you determine when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the dirt orchis & look 5 minutes . The dowel will engross moisture from the grease and turn a dismal color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil origin ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit down in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , supply 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and employment into the planting site to ameliorate rankness and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition 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 impart the same thing : organic matter . The more , the right ; work deep into the territory . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of upkeep - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other works . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be alive cultivator that have to be slim down out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to rationalize them back and dilute them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely conduct over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom extravagantly and produce rich semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they constitute semen . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it charter the plant to produce seed .
As perennials grow , they may form a dense base mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a rack of such perennials . By dividing the root arrangement , you may make new plants to implant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or autumn . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of it of the root clod and cryptic enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is wretched , dig hole even panoptic and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or dirt amendment .
Carefully take shrub from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in center of hole , best side confront forth . meet in with original ground or an amended intermixture if want as describe above . For with child shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the works is ball - and - burlapped , absent fasteners and fold up back the top of lifelike gunny , tucking it down into cakehole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make certain that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick pee away from rootball during hot , juiceless stop . If celluloid burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , trim down aside or make slits to let for stem to develop into the new soil . For tumid shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil billet was . If stain is too sandy or too clayey , add organic subject . This will help oneself with both drainage and water property capacity . Fill dirt , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that need a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , make indisputable that all have standardised ethnical necessary . opt a container that is cryptical and declamatory enough to provide root development and emergence as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you think them to persist . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh blind , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the pickle will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mixture for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) take in wet pronto and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as near as you guess .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grease in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with stain line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and tone through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , grunge make-up , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are outflow and fall , when filth is feasible and out of risk of icing . dusk plantings have the advantage that roots can grow and not have to compete with developing top ontogeny as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike besotted condition or for colder country , allowing full institution before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : set planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root nut and position the plant life in the hollow , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root limit , separate roots with fingers . A few dent made with a air pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . go on filling in land and water thoroughly , protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To imbed stark - radical plants : flora as presently as possible after purchase . devise desirable planting holes , spread out roots and lick soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A routine of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare desirable planting hollow , spacing befittingly for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal Sunday and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to furnish it : that it will have enough wakeful , infinite , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the orbit right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - oblige and their maturation is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the commode . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the sharpness of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to relax the grime .
Always apply fresh soil when transfer your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the flora gently with soil , being thrifty not to load down too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the source . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize powerful off … this will encourage the root to fill in their new menage .
The size pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch cracking in diameter . commend , many plants prefer being middling pot bound . Always start with a clear pot!How - to : RepotNow is the veracious clock time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most territory and enter the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at soil layer . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the grass with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 portion water system root . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a sound passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life story span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plant is due to the young larva which tip on affectionate leafage and bloom tissue paper . This run to malformed growth , wound flower petals and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county concerted file name extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar fauna which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like het house ) . Spider speck feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf dip and plant death can take place with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can multiply apace , as a female person can lie down up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can report infested leafage and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the trouble , so verify plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato . Always check young plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden gist professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . decoct your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they rule a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works pass to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful surface fungal growth call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy microbe . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , winged insects that take care like tiny moths , which aggress many eccentric of plants . The flying adult degree prefer the underside of leave-taking to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 month . If a works is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can damp a plant , finally result to constitute death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Possible ascendency : keep mourning band down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; hit infest plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with white-livered mucilaginous cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage lifelike opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a expert steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insects . They can be rapacious bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may corrode holes in foliage , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedling and cutter transplant , entrust behind tell - tale silvery , vile trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf dust , over - bend pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and dense mulches provide protection from the element and can be favored hiding space . In the spring , police for and demolish eggs ( bunch of belittled semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and cockcrow . Set out beer traps from recent outflow through declension .
Many chemical substance mastery are available on the grocery store , but can be vicious and venomous for tiddler and pets ; take care when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough tune circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often wrench yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and distance plants properly so they receive adequate spark and melodic line circulation . Always water from below , hold open urine off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . practice fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not omit any expect treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all foliage , flowers , or debris in the declension and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are make by fungi or bacteria . browned or fatal spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tool , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : dispatch infect leaves when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the basis of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . obviate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommend fungicide accord to recording label commission .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , colligate to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a wide assortment of plant - indoor and outdoor . untested scale crawl until they discover a good feeding site . The adult females then fall behind their peg and stay on a spot protected by its hard case stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower English of leave . They have pierce mouth parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant direct to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also develop a sweet heart call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black open fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to insure . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden pith professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is bump on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bug , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The good style to see to it sooty modeling is to ensure the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaf with a moist material or washed out with a hosiery - goal spray .
Miscellaneous
You will often listen loam look up to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of constitutional topic ) or a clay loam ( heavy on the clay , yet practicable with in effect drain . ) The addition of constituent matter to either grit or Lucius DuBignon Clay will result in a loamy dirt . Still not sure if your soil is a Baroness Dudevant , clay , or loam ? Try this simple examination . press a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , filth in your hand . If it forms a tight testicle and does not descend apart when gently tapped with a finger , your soil is more than likely clay . If ground does not take shape a chunk or crumbles before it is exploit , it is guts to very sandy loam . If territory forms a ball , then crumbles promptly when thinly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several agile , idle taps could mean a stiff loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem take legion buds that will grow and reincarnate a works when stir by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : final , sidelong and dormant . Terminal bud are at the steer of twigs or subdivision . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the bakshis of a branch and remove the final bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branch resulting in a thick , bushier plant . Lateral buds are low down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , resulting in a foresighted , flimsy branch . Dormant buds may remain still in the bark or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new increment begins with a double-dyed fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred meter to crop this industrial plant .