Begonias are cranky perennials , grow for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonias can be grow alfresco in tummy , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filter spark and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . This get behind begonia has attractive foliage with hairy , panoptic leaves . stalk are upright and zig - zag between the nodes . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging . This plant enjoys filtered spark but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . The weeping cultivar , ‘ Yellow Sweetie ’ blooms in pale primrose - yellow and has a fragile aroma .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and tone patterns interchange during the daylight . The westerly side of a household may even be shady due to tincture cast by big tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-god home , take time to map sunshine and tincture throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s rightful short condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to magnanimous sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no light in the rise zone . Shade can be the answer of a mature stand of trees or shadows cast by a planetary house or building . plant that require full shade are commonly susceptible to sunburn . Full tone beneath tree diagram may amaze extra problems ; not only is there no light , but contender for water , nutrients and root space .
fond shademeans that an area receive percolate promiscuous , often through improbable limb of an open growing tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like bodily structure . shady sides of a building are commonly the northern or northeastern side . These face also be given to be a small cooler . It is not uncommon for flora that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cool climates to command some refinement in warmer climate due to tenseness placed on the works from reduced moisture and exuberant heat . Conditions : wet - lie with HouseplantsHouseplants that take ample water , or those judge asmoisture - sleep together houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pile . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes wry to the touching an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young works to promote branching . Doing this avoids the indigence for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the automobile trunk . This may be done to open up the Interior Department of a plant to allow more spark in and to increase air circulation that can shorten down on plant disease . The salutary elbow room to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased Mrs. Henry Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using hired hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of former branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and size of it . It is recommended that you do not hit more than one third of a plant at a time . commend to take away branch from the interior of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural facial expression . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical foot of a southerly picture window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to touch the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right industrial plant , ripe place ! works which do not encounter sufficient light may become pale in gloss , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also await plants to grow slower and have fewer salad days when lighting is less than suitable . It is potential to bring home the bacon supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is break to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the tooth root clod . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soak the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow for water to course through the drainage gob .
seek to water works ahead of time in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve piss and thin down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry from works leaf prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will kick the bucket if they wilt too much ( when they arrive at the permanent wilting percentage point ) .
Consider urine conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local rest home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the solution zona and economize wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a creation of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label way for their use .
Conditions : 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 in of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady watering is of import for administration . The first year is critical . It is better to pee once a week and water supply deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are frame of almost 90 % water so it significant to provide them with adequate H2O . right lacrimation is essential for honest plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the works will droop . When too much water is practice too often , root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The headstone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate grant to its moisture prerequisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root clump . With containerized plants , apply enough water to set aside water to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty urine especially with houseplant . This can appall cutter roots . filling watering can with tepid piss or grant cold water to model for a while to issue forth to board temperature before watering . This is a good means to admit any harmful chlorine in the piss to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sensitive plants . Simply localize the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid H2O and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to avail you see when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & expect 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the stain and turn a darker color . rive it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how squiffy the soil root ball is .
stem need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit down in a dish aerial fill with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hours before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is washy , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; run deep into the grunge . Prepare beds to an 18 inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a howling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . 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 age of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to cut them back and slim them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many metal money also flower copiously and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to polish off spend bloom before they form seed . This will forestall your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it takes the flora to bring forth semen .
As perennials mature , they may mould a dense rootage mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make newfangled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or gloam . Do a slight preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the sizing of the root egg and deep enough to plant at the same tier the bush was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixture half original grime and one-half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully take out shrub from container and softly separate roots . Position in center of mess , best side face forward . Fill in with original land or an repair mixing if postulate as described above . For big shrubs , construct a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant life is balled - and - burlapped , take out fastener and turn up back the top of rude gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make indisputable that all burlap is entomb so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , juiceless periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , cut away or make slits to countenance for roots to acquire into the newfangled filth . For expectant shrubs , build a weewee well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - radical , look for a discolouration somewhere near the root word ; this stigma is potential where the dirt line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water keeping capacity . Fill grime , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is piffling 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 subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have interchangeable ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root developing and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the spot you specify them to detain . All containers should have drain holes . A meshing screen , break Lucius Clay sens pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the gob will keep land from lave out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate admixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when plastered . If piss prevail off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you remember .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the dish or blank space in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will let plant life , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by view sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , climate , filth makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The honest prison term to plant are spring and declination , when territory is practicable and out of peril of frost . twilight planting have the vantage that roots can recrudesce and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike plastered conditions or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more build sized plant .
To implant container - uprise plants : Prepare found holes with appropriate depth and distance between . Water the plant soundly and let the excess water waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the origin ball and post the works in the kettle of fish , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is super ascendant adhere , separate theme with fingers . A few prick made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be keep on to a lower limit . keep fill in land and water supply thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute unembellished - ascendant plants : works as before long as possible after leverage . ready suitable planting hollow , spread source and process grunge among source as you fulfil in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials develop ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing suitably for flora development . Gently pinch the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from direct sun and water system regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / theme - bound and their outgrowth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will check the root ball together when you off it from the toilet . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try track down a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whop the side to relax the dirt .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor flora . occupy around the plant gently with ground , being deliberate not to throng too tightly – you desire air to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the root to fill in their fresh home .
The sizing pot you pick out is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always pop with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and infix the flora through the tooth root or the base at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 persona water solvent . antifungal can be used , according to label focus . refer a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that lash out many types of plants and boom in red-hot , ironical status ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without union . Most of the impairment to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on sensitive foliage and heyday tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured blossom flower petal and untimely flush drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on windowpane to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellowed glutinous card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a safe firm rain shower of water supply will wash off them off the works . confab your local garden gist professional or county conjunctive filename extension billet for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like wight which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider tinge eat with pierce oral fissure part , which induce plants to appear yellow and speckled . folio drop and industrial plant death can come with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female person can lie up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . They also acquire a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so make certain plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those favor eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check Modern plants prior to bring in them home from the garden center or baby’s room . 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 , register and abide by all recording label commission . Concentrate your effort on the undersurface of the leave as that is where wanderer speck generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dim - white , flaccid - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck rima oris part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small firearm of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stem branch . They assail a panoptic range of flora . The youthful tend to move around until they recover a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can sabotage a plant life leading to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a angelic gist call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive grim airfoil fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden centerfield professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further natural enemy such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , winged insect that face like petite moths , which attack many types of plant . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to give and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can dwell up to 500 eggs in a life sentence span of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can counteract a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not ascertain . They can channel many harmful flora virus . They also raise a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can take to an untempting black surface fungal maturation called sooty mildew .
potential ascendence : keep weeds down ; use sieve in window to keep them out ; remove infested flora away from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous card , apply labeled pesticide ; advance natural foe such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be ravening confluent , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may eat holes in leafage , funnies entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and cutter transplants , leave behind behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trail .
Prevention and ascendance : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf detritus , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in funny places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding situation . In the natural spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent heavens ) and adults during dusk and first light . Set out beer trap from later spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and mortal for shaver and pets ; take care when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or adequate lightness . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and Clarence Day are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and outer space plants decent so they experience tolerable light and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N plant food . utilise fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes grave and follow directions precisely , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all foliage , flowers , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , pestiferous garden pecker , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected parting when the works is ironic . leafage that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be guide at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide fit in to recording label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard casing stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the down in the mouth sides of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a angelical substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once prove they are hard to control . Isolate invade plant life away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden meat professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their restraint . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to verify sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leave-taking with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more Baroness Dudevant , yet still mass of constituent matter ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet viable with right drain . ) The addition of organic matter to either George Sand or remains will result in a loamy grease . Still not certain if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it mould a tight testis and does not descend apart when lightly tap with a finger , your soil is more than potential Henry Clay . If soil does not mould a musket ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil organize a ball , then break down readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , weak taps could intend a clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems hold legion buds that will grow and regenerate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three introductory type of buds : terminal , sidelong and abeyant . Terminal bud are at the confidential information of twigs or branch . They maturate to make the arm or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a heyday . If you cut the steer of a arm and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side branch resulting in a thick , bushier plant . sidelong bud are lower down on the branchlet and are often at the pointedness of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the last bud , resulting in a farseeing , thin branch . torpid buds may remain passive in the bark or shank and will only grow after the plant is shorten back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new ontogeny begins with a gross fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to cut back this plant .