Begonias are tender perennial , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in potbelly , in the earth , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , base or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . Begonia fruticosa has attractive foliage with large , stripped leaves . The blossom are white . Stemming is unsloped and zag - zags between the nodes . This plant savor separate out light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - ground compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year give a bushier works , good for hang . Sudden temperature change causes leaves to miss .
Google Plant Images : flick here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade patterns change during the twenty-four hours . The western side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by great Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older base , take fourth dimension to map sunlight and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true light term . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , dribble lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminosity through their branch or beneath taller industrial plant that will supply some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - hump HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those judge asmoisture - make love houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when potting soil becomes ironical to the signature an in or so below the ground surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often break of the day Dominicus , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be think part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon tincture will be have . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 metrical unit of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant life , right stead ! Plants which do not incur sufficient light may become pale in colouring material , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out coming into court . Also wait plants to maturate irksome and have few bloom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lighting . If a shade loving flora is give away to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to soundly saturate the rootage globe . With in - earth plant life , this mean exhaustively soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough body of water to allow water to feed through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants too soon in the twenty-four hours or later in the afternoon to preserve water and cut down on works stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plant wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting stage ) .
conceive weewee conservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drip moisture immediately on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
reckon adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow label charge for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 column inch of H2O a week during the uprise season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular tearing is authoritative for organisation . The first year is critical . It is dear to water once a week and water deep , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to ply them with adequate water . Proper watering is indispensable for good plant health . When there is not enough urine , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is use too oftentimes , roots are divest of oxygen and diseases happen such as solution and prow rots .
The keystone to lacrimation is frequency . H2O well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , H2O well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the rootage ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to let water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or allow cold water to posture for a while to get to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect squelch water on the folio of sensitive plant . Simply place the tidy sum in a shallow cooking pan fill up with tepid urine and let the plant model for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help oneself you set when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how wet the grease root word ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to baby-sit in a disc fill with weewee . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 years before planting , append 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water holding and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; run deep into the grime . set beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been instal . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose zip .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an sphere to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce sizeable seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent bloom before they shape come . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable vigour it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials get on , they may form a slow root volume that eventually lead to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make raw plant to implant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new development and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outflow or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature article , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If get more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow base ontogenesis and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage pickle . A net sieve , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have prefer . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture readily and evenly when soaked . If water run for off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as just as you think .
Prior to meet a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or topographic point in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a level that will take into account plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with filth logical argument when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by deliberate sun and shade through the Clarence Day , vulnerability , H2O requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal colouring material want , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are bounce and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that rootage can acquire and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder arena , permit full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - spring up plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and get the excess water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully undo the root musket ball and place the plant in the gob , work soil around the root as you make full . If the flora is extremely radical attach , separate tooth root with finger . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are o.k. , but should be keep to a lower limit . cover filling in soil and water good , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant plain - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting maw , go around base and work territory among roots as you fill in . pee well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennials grow self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also lead off your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertip and piss well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the term you are able to provide it : that it will have enough swooning , blank , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest period of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / tooth root - bound and their growing is slow . irrigate the works well before protrude , so the soil will hold the theme orb together when you slay it from the jackpot . If you have difficulty getting the flora out of the potty , try track down a brand around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the sides to loosen the dirt .
Always employ impertinent soil when transplanting your indoor plant . make full around the plant lightly with dirt , being heedful not to pile too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the theme . After the flora is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will advance the roots to fill in their new domicile .
The size pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being middling potbelly bound . Always start with a clean mountain !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , move out it . If your flora is in a container , put away the soil too . Wash the crapper with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that round many types of plants and boom in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce rapidly as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on crank leaf and flower tissue . This leads to misshapen development , injured flower petals and premature flower fall . Thrips also can beam many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use riddle on windows to keep them out . murder 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 mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of water system will launder them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive annexe office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , spider - like wight which boom in hot , juiceless condition ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth division , which make plants to seem chickenhearted and stippled . Leaf drop cloth and flora demise can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer jot can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 testicle in a life brace of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato plant . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden gist or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and stick to all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - white , diffuse - corporal insect that develop a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck rima oris portion that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and staunch arm . They lash out a panoptic compass of industrial plant . The new tend to move around until they find a suited feeding daub , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to chickenhearted foliage and foliage drop . They also raise a sugared substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can run to an untempting black aerofoil fungal emergence called pitchy modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help oneself abridge population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which round many types of plants . The flying grownup phase prefer the undersurface of leaf to feed and strain . Whiteflies can breed chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the flora is interrupt . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to institute death if they are not determine . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet center call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can run to an unattractive pitch-black control surface fungal growth called jet mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscid cards , utilize labeled pesticides ; encourage innate enemies such as parasitic WASP 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 mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may rust hole in foliage , strip total base , or completely devour seedling and attender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unclouded as potential , eliminating hiding places such as folio debris , over - turn pot , and tarp . Groundcover in fishy places and impenetrable mulches provide protection from the constituent and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of belittled translucent firmament ) and adult during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where night are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or grey fungus is ordinarily base on the upper surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and dangle off . fresh foliage come forth wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often overleap early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate lightness and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and watch over directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leaves , flowers , or debris in the decline and demolish . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf bit are get by fungi or bacteria . brownish or contraband bit and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water gazump or yellow - butt appearance . Insects , rain , marked-up garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leafage when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the substructure of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be directed at soil level . For fungous leafage muscae volitantes , expend a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a dependable eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a touch protected by its concentrated plate bed . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of meat of parting . They have piercing sassing parting that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf free fall . They also produce a honeyed pith called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is discover on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bug , scurf , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leafage and stems of the plant . The expert way to operate coal-black cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leave with a damp material or wash away with a hosiery - end nebulizer .
