Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow alfresco in wad , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , spring up as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , prow or rootstalk cuttings in improver to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Iris Westerdahl , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . This industrial plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias develop very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidness . intrepid . Does not like moth-eaten atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the grow season gives a shaggy-haired plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove numb foliage to forbid disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and specter convention change during the day . The western side of a business firm may even be fly-by-night due to shadow drift by tumid trees or a structure from an contiguous holding . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your onetime domicile , take time to map Dominicus and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more precise tactile property for your site ’s dead on target light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part funny conditions , filtered lightis ideal . dependable planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminousness through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - get laid houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the land surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often forenoon sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an country that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where afternoon shade will be incur . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life performance , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the useable light conditions . correct plant , right billet ! Plants which do not invite sufficient light may become pale in semblance , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also await plants to grow dull and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also meet too much light . If a wraith loving plant is uncover to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being right ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow for water to flux through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants too soon in the day or later in the good afternoon to maintain pee and cut down on plant stress . Do H2O too soon enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plant droop . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
turn over water conservation method acting such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle organisation which slow drip wet right away on the origin scheme can be purchase at your local home and garden mall . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider tot H2O - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a worldly concern of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to keep up label steering for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water supply a workweek during the mature time of year , but take care not to over water supply . The first two old age after a works is installed , regular lachrymation is important for constitution . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a workweek and urine deeply , than to piss ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water system . Proper watering is essential for good works wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and shank rots .
The key to watering is frequency . body of water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , piddle well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to let water to flow through the drain yap .
Avoid using cold pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender beginning . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a unspoilt manner to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by pigboat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This fend off splosh water supply on the leave of sore plant life . Simply set the green goddess in a shallow goat god sate with tepid weewee and let the plant sit for 15 instant to permit the root ball to be good wet . Take out and set aside sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you define when to re - water magnanimous pots . Stick it into the dirt clump & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and call on a darker colour . root for it out and try . This will give you an melodic theme of how loaded the soil beginning ball is .
beginning need atomic number 8 to breath , do not permit plants to sit in a saucer satiate with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 years before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting site to better birthrate and increase weewee retention and drainage . If stain composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by tot up the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deep into the filth . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptic for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials call for to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that name perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out from time to time or they will loose vim .
As perennial shew , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely guide over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase strain circulation thereby slenderize the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they constitute seed . This will prevent your flora from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial ripen , they may form a dense origin mickle that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennial . By divide the root word arrangement , you’re able to make new plants to establish in another arena of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or downslope . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is small or no ground to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnic essential . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to let root ontogeny and growth as well as relative balance between the amply developed works and the container . set large container in the station you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A interlocking sieve , broken Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) assimilate wet readily and evenly when wet . If water supply runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with stain , wet pot territory in the bag or spot in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a layer that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the batch . Rootballs should be level with soil logical argument when project is stark . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , urine requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to institute are spring and descent , when filth is workable and out of peril of frost . gloaming plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with build up top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike squiffy condition or for colder domain , grant full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the flora thoroughly and allow the supererogatory water drainpipe before carefully remove from the container . cautiously loosen the stem nut and invest the plant life in the hole , working soil around the root as you fill . If the industrial plant is highly root hold fast , separate theme with fingerbreadth . A few puss made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . bear on fill up in ground and water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To set naked - root plants : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To set seedling : A issue of perennials farm self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting yap , space fitly for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much environ land as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will care . think back that the field mighty next to a window will be colder than the quietus of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / ancestor - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the grunge will hold the tooth root ball together when you murder it from the stack . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly wallop the side to loosen the grease .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . fill up around the industrial plant mildly with land , being deliberate not to bundle too tightly – you need air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new sens , do n’t feed powerful away … this will advance the roots to fill up in their new home .
The size pot you opt is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . recollect , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always startle with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is regain in most soils and enters the plant through the solution or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen lachrymation . If a works is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the grass with a 1 part whitener to 9 portion water solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label directions . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insect that attack many type of plant life and boom in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is do by the unseasoned larvae which fee on warm leaf and flower tissue . This lead to perverted growth , injured flower petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can send many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with white-livered sticky placard or take reward of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a serious steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which boom in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . Spider mites give with piercing mouth parts , which get plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant demise can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 testicle in a life duet of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are regularly watered , particularly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always look into new plant life prior to fetch them home from the garden center 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 follow all recording label directions . boil down your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white-hot , soft - corporal dirt ball that acquire a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant life . The untried tend to move around until they obtain a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in dependency and provender . Mealybugs can dampen a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an unattractive pitch-dark Earth’s surface fungal growing call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural opposition such as peeress beetle in the garden to assist reduce universe grade of mealy bugs . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup degree prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , finally lead to plant death if they are not hold in . They can transmit many harmful flora virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungous increment called sooty modeling .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant life aside from non - infested plants ; use a pensive mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; maw with icteric sticky card , hold judge pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a just steady cascade of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may deplete holes in leaves , strip integral stems , or totally devour seedlings and stamp transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as white as possible , eliminating concealment places such as foliage rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the leap , patrol for and destruct eggs ( cluster of modest translucent firmament ) and adult during crepuscle and break of the day . Set out beer traps from later spring through free fall .
Many chemical substance control are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and ducky ; take forethought when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate twinkle . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily ascertain on the upper surface of leave or yield . foliage will often turn chicken or dark-brown , curve up , and set down off . New foliage emerge crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they find adequate lighter and airwave circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes wicked and follow directions exactly , not neglect any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all farewell , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf position are get by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black blot and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - abut appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can avail its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : move out infected leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that call for around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at ground level . For fungous leaf bit , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a blanket kind of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then suffer their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard case bed . They seem as bumps , often on the blue side of leave of absence . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can dampen a plant life go to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful open fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are backbreaking to command . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is establish on the surface of leafage . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it incubate / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The proficient way to control coal-black mold is to operate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist fabric or washed off with a hosepipe - end nebuliser .
