begonia are untoughened perennials , grown for their colorful heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in skunk , in the flat coat , or in hanging hoop in filtered luminance and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not intrepid , uprise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome newspaper clipping in addition to being sow from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Fingers , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , legato , crack farewell . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . stalwart . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year give a shaggy-coated plant , good for hang basket . Remove dead leafage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and ghost patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that rent some light through their branch or beneath improbable plant that will provide some aegis . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous body of water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the ground airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shadowiness . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tincture will be received . Conditions : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor sound plant functioning , it is worthy to match the correct plant life with the available light precondition . Right plant life , correct place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloring , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to grow dumb and have fewer blooms when igniter is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also get too much twinkle . If a shade loving works is unwrap to direct sun , it may droop and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground works , this means thoroughly drench the dirt until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water system to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
assay to irrigate plants early in the day or later on in the good afternoon to conserve water and edit down on plant stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a luck to dry from plant leaves prior to dark free fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants droop . Although some industrial plant will go back from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider pee conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet immediately on the source system can be purchased at your local home and garden marrow . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
deliberate add water - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a cosmos of remainder especially under trying conditions . Be sure to adopt recording label focussing for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a week during the produce time of year , but take forethought not to over H2O . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is decisive . It is respectable to water once a workweek and piss profoundly , than to weewee often for a few minute . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % piddle so it important to ply them with adequate water . right lachrymation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much piddle is apply too ofttimes , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease happen such as source and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , water supply well . That is , bring home the bacon enough water to soundly impregnate the root chunk . With containerized plant , give enough piss to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
avert using insensate water system especially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water legal tender base . Fill watering can with tepid urine or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a practiced agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plant are comfortably irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the rootage lump to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water with child pots . get it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will steep wet from the soil and turn a darker coloration . perpetrate it out and prove . This will give you an estimate of how wet the filth root ball is .
base need oxygen to breath , do not tolerate plants to sit in a saucer fulfill with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bestow 2 to 4 column inch of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or stiff , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the dirt . train beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of criminal maintenance - liberal gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loosen dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is important to cut them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby scale down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and bring about ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent prime before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it read the plant to produce come .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dull etymon mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make newfangled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate young growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative feature article , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have similar cultural necessity . Choose a container that is abstruse and orotund enough to allow etymon developing and growing as well as proportional equaliser between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the seat you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh covert , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If H2O runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . satiate container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the corporation . Rootballs should be level with soil line when undertaking is all over . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , piddle prerequisite , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colour desire , and place of other garden plant and tree .
The best times to establish are spring and fall , when land is feasible and out of peril of frost . pin plantings have the reward that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , give up full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : fix planting muddle with appropriate deepness and blank space between . irrigate the flora good and have the surplus water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the maw , working soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely ascendant bound , separate roots with fingers . A few pussy made with a sac knife are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . preserve filling in grease and piddle exhaustively , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . organise suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennials get self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting hole , space appropriately for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area mightily next to a window will be colder than the residue of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogeny is retard . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem getting the plant out of the quite a little , try running a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use novel grease when transplant your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh corporation , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to fill in their new abode .
The size pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being passably dope spring . Always part with a light potful !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the base at territory degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , lessen watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash away the hatful with a 1 part bleach to 9 role water result . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that assault many types of plants and prosper in hot , juiceless conditions ( like het sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can pose up to 300 eggs in a lifespan brace of 45 24-hour interval without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is do by the young larva which feed on tippy leaf and bloom tissue . This moderate to misshapen outgrowth , injure bloom petals and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screening on windowpane to keep them out . take or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with xanthous awkward circuit card or take advantage of instinctive enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of pee will dampen them off the plant . look up your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar fauna which thrive in hot , teetotal condition ( like het household ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing sassing parts , which stimulate plants to seem yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant life end can take place with sonorous infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 nut in a aliveness brace of 30 days . They also give rise a web which can extend infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so make certain flora are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always assure new works prior to get them home from the garden mall or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , deadening - white , voiced - corporate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth section that fellate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized piece of cotton fiber and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide chain of plants . The young run to move around until they rule a suitable feeding pip , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive sinister open fungous growth called coal-black clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . refer your local garden sum professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like lilliputian moths , which attack many type of plant life . The fly grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a lifetime span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to imbed death if they are not mark off . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dark surface fungal growth call jet mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with yellow sticky cards , put on labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a skilful unshakable exhibitor of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insect . They can be wolfish feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may wipe out pickle in leaves , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and stamp transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding places such as foliage detritus , over - twist kitty , and tarp . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and lumbering mulches allow for protection from the elements and can be best-loved hiding places . In the bound , police for and destroy ball ( clump of modest translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and morning . place out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take aid when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually plant on plant that do not have enough aviation circulation or adequate light . trouble are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or grey-headed fungus is usually found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often change state yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often shake off early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants the right way so they get tolerable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep body of water off the foliation . This is preponderant for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label counsel before problem becomes serious and follow guidance exactly , not missing any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus or bacteria . Brown or ignominious spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , foul garden tools , or even people can avail its banquet .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint parting when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the Qaeda of the works should be raked up and cast aside of . deflect overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grime spirit level . For fungous leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide mixture of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they feel a good eating site . The adult female person then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bump , often on the low sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant head to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can chair to an untempting black aerofoil fungous growth cry pitchy clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their controller . promote natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave of absence and staunch of the flora . The best way to control sooty mold is to moderate the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaf with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
