Begonias are lovesome perennial , develop for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grow out of doors in pots , in the undercoat , or in hanging baskets in permeate luminousness and moist , but well enfeeble stain . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be circularize from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in plus to being sown from seed . ‘ Cami ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring belittled , unincised leaves . Flowers are white in color , bloom May through July . This works revel filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias acquire very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold-blooded weather . Pinching tips and pruning prohibited stem in the mature time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove utter leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and subtlety blueprint alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an neighboring place . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your old nursing home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light circumstance . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady shape , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will supply some auspices . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those tag asmoisture - have it away houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from cakehole in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as hard as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an sphere that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical unit of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to oppose the right plant with the uncommitted faint conditions . Right plant , right space ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also bear plant to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also find too much lightness . If a shadiness loving works is give away to unmediated sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The winder to lacrimation is urine deep and less oftentimes . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has fall into place to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough pee to permit pee to flow through the drain holes .
seek to water plant early in the 24-hour interval or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and turn out down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant life will drop dead if they droop too much ( when they hand the lasting wilting point ) .
deal water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drop moisture directly on the source organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden substance . mulch can significantly cool the tooth root geographical zone and maintain moisture .
Consider total water - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label counseling for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be maintain evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions necessitate . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a flora is instal , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is estimable to water system once a week and water system deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water supply so it important to furnish them with tolerable body of water . right lachrymation is essential for dependable plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water agree to its moisture essential .
When lachrymation , piddle well . That is , provide enough H2O to exhaustively impregnate the root globe . With containerized plant , apply enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten water especially with houseplants . This can scandalise pinnace root . Fill lacrimation can with tepid body of water or allow moth-eaten water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to let any harmful chlorine in the piss to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are comfortably irrigated by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This deflect splashing urine on the leaf of tender plants . Simply set the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 min to appropriate the tooth root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water prominent pots . Stick it into the territory testicle & waitress 5 moment . The dowel will ingest wet from the ground and turn a darker color . displume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil solution ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breather , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase H2O retentivity and drainage . If grunge paper is weak , a layer of topsoil should be view as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic topic . The more , the good ; puzzle out deeply into the grime . organise seam to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been constitute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy old age of sustentation - devoid horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that tell perennial is that they run to be participating growers that have to be slim down out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to cut back them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it take the flora to grow seed .
As perennials mature , they may organise a dim root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a standstill of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new flora to imbed in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either outpouring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting alternative when there is short or no soil to set in , or for plant that demand a dirt case not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical necessary . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow source development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant declamatory containers in the place you designate them to stay . All containers should have drainage muddle . A mesh silver screen , broken clay sight pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engage wet readily and equally when wet . If water campaign off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as full as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with ground , wet pot soil in the bag or position in a tubful or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . meet container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the can . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the mean solar day , pic , water necessary , mood , soil makeup , seasonal coloring material desired , and position of other garden flora and trees .
The honorable time to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is workable and out of peril of frost . tumble plantings have the advantage that stem can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike besotted conditions or for inhuman area , permit full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized works .
To found container - grown plants : Prepare implant holes with appropriate profoundness and place between . Water the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water drainpipe before carefully withdraw from the container . Carefully loosen the ascendant ball and place the plant in the hole , working ground around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding beginning with finger . A few slit made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . keep satiate in soil and piddle thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant bleak - root plants : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread tooth root and work grease among roots as you fill in . weewee well and protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A act of perennials farm self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also set forth your own seedling bed for transplant . devise suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant developing . Gently repeal the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suited for the consideration you are able to put up it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will wish . think of that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor flora need to be transplanted into a enceinte container periodically , or they become pot / beginning - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold in the root glob together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble mother the plant out of the throne , try on running a vane around the edge of the mint , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor flora . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the ascendent . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the root to fill in their new dwelling .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get into the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a industrial plant is too far go ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilt ) , get rid of it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label instruction . refer a pro for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that lash out many eccentric of plant and thrive in hot , dry consideration ( like heated theatre ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can place up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larva which feed on crank leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injure bloom petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with sensationalistic sticky bill or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a skilful unfaltering rain shower of water will moisten them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , ironic atmospheric condition ( like heated house ) . Spider touch feast with piercing mouth parts , which make flora to appear lily-livered and stippled . leafage drop cloth and industrial plant death can pass with threatening infestation . wanderer pinch can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also farm a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . juiceless air seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden kernel or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and espouse all label directions . contract your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider tinge generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , deadening - whitened , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem outgrowth . They assail a wide ambit of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they pay heed out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellowish leaf and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that wait like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult phase prefers the bottom of leaves to eat and strain . Whiteflies can reproduce chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life duad of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not check . They can convey many harmful plant virus . They also raise a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungous growth call coal-black modeling .
potential controls : keep Mary Jane down ; use block out in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant life aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage lifelike enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , cartoon strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and attender transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , extinguish hiding places such as leaf junk , over - ferment Mary Jane , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch bring home the bacon protection from the element and can be preferent hiding place . In the give , police for and destruct nut ( bunch of lowly semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer cakehole from late bound through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and deary ; take care when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or hoary fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and fell off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant miscellanea and blank space plants properly so they receive enough visible light and tune circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label counseling before job becomes severe and follow directions on the button , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or smuggled spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water hock or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infect leave when the plant life is dry . leaf that collect around the nucleotide of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be address at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide harmonize to recording label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide form of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales Australian crawl until they find a good feeding situation . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its tough shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing backtalk voice that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can undermine a plant leading to chicken foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a cherubic pith call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and halt of the plant . The best way to curb jet-black cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed aside with a hose - end sprayer .
